Correlation of volume of both the kidneys in both the sexes among different age groups of normal North Indian population ? An ultrasonographic study

Background: Dimensions of kidney form an extremely important parameter for diagnosis and prognosis of renal pathologies. Dimensions vary according to the geographical locations, racial variations, diet, environment and frequency of pathologies. Renal sizes in Indian population although studied frequently have not been standardized. Aim: The study was aimed at establishing some preliminary data of normal North Indian population, without a known renal pathology. Material and methods: Renal measurements i.e., length, width and parenchymal thickness were measured in 164 individuals, both males and females and their renal volume was calculated. The volume was then correlated with the age of the individuals. Analysis was then done for variability due to age, gender and laterality. Results: It was found that the males showed the maximum volume for both the right and the left kidneys in the fourth decade, where as the females had a maximum volume in the third decade. Volume tended to decrease after the fourth decade. The volume of the left kidney was more as compared to that of right side for both the males and females. Conclusion: Renal sizes of Indian are invariably lesser as compared to commonly quoted normal values in standard literatures. Inferences about renal sizes need to be made with reference to racial and regional variations rather than basing them on data from other population.