The Cardiovascular
ToolsCalculators

Revised Schwartz Equation for Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) (2009)

Estimates GFR in children and adolescents from height and serum creatinine.

Revised Schwartz Equation for Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) (2009)
Height
Serum creatinine (enzymatic assay)
Complete the fields above to see the result.

When to use

  • Estimating GFR in children and adolescents (roughly 1-16 years) from height and serum creatinine, most accurate when creatinine is measured by an enzymatic (IDMS-traceable) assay.

Formula

eGFR (mL/min/1.73m²) = 0.413 × height (cm) / serum creatinine (mg/dL).

Pearls and pitfalls

  • The single constant k = 0.413 replaced the earlier age- and sex-specific Schwartz k values (e.g., 0.45 in infancy, 0.55 in childhood, 0.7 in adolescent boys) once creatinine assays were standardised to an enzymatic, IDMS-traceable method.
  • Derived and validated in children with chronic kidney disease with GFR roughly 15-75 mL/min/1.73m²; less accurate in acute kidney injury or outside this range.

References

  1. Schwartz GJ, Muñoz A, Schneider MF, et al. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2009;20(3):629-37.