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Bedside Schwartz eGFR (children)

Estimated GFR in children from height and serum creatinine (CKiD 2009)

Sources last checked: 2026-10-27

Bedside Schwartz eGFR (children)

Estimated GFR in children from height and serum creatinine (CKiD 2009)

Creatinine unit
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Derived in the CKiD cohort: children aged 1–16 with CKD and measured GFR mostly 15–75 mL/min/1.73 m², using enzymatic creatinine. It tends to underestimate GFR in children with normal kidney function, and is not valid with Jaffe creatinine, in AKI, or at extremes of muscle mass.

Source: Schwartz GJ, Muñoz A, Schneider MF et al. New equations to estimate GFR in children with CKD. J Am Soc Nephrol 2009;20(3):629-637.Open

Interpretation

G5 — kidney failure< 15 mL/min/1.73 m² (KDIGO GFR category G5).
G4 — severely decreased15–29 mL/min/1.73 m².
G3b — moderately to severely decreased30–44 mL/min/1.73 m².
G3a — mildly to moderately decreased45–59 mL/min/1.73 m².
G2 — mildly decreased60–89 mL/min/1.73 m². CKD only with other markers of kidney damage.
G1 — normal or high≥ 90 mL/min/1.73 m².

What is the Bedside Schwartz eGFR (children)?

The bedside Schwartz equation estimates GFR in children from height and serum creatinine. Schwartz and colleagues updated the original 1976 formula in 2009 using the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children (CKiD) cohort — children aged 1 to 16 years with CKD — with GFR measured by iohexol clearance and creatinine measured enzymatically.

When to use it

  • Estimating GFR in children and adolescents with known or suspected CKD
  • Staging paediatric CKD by KDIGO GFR category
  • Quick bedside estimate when height and creatinine are available

When not to use it

  • Acute kidney injury or rapidly changing creatinine
  • Creatinine measured with a non-IDMS-traceable Jaffe method (the coefficient was derived for enzymatic creatinine)
  • Neonates and infants under 1 year, or adults — use an age-appropriate equation such as EKFC or CKD-EPI

How it is calculated

eGFR = 0.413 × height (cm) / serum creatinine (mg/dL) With creatinine in µmol/L: eGFR = 36.5 × height (cm) / serum creatinine (µmol/L)

Clinical pearls and limitations

  • Derived in the CKiD cohort: children aged 1–16 with CKD and measured GFR mostly 15–75 mL/min/1.73 m², using enzymatic creatinine. It tends to underestimate GFR in children with normal kidney function, and is not valid with Jaffe creatinine, in AKI, or at extremes of muscle mass.
  • With creatinine in µmol/L the coefficient becomes about 36.5 (0.413 × 88.4).
  • The equation was derived in children with reduced GFR and tends to underestimate GFR when kidney function is normal.
  • Measure height accurately — the estimate is directly proportional to it.
  • EKFC offers a full-age-spectrum alternative that avoids a jump at the paediatric–adult transition.

Frequently asked questions

What is the bedside Schwartz formula?

eGFR = 0.413 × height (cm) / serum creatinine (mg/dL); in µmol/L, 36.5 × height / creatinine.

What is the difference from the original Schwartz formula?

The 1976 formula used age-specific k values (0.33–0.70) with Jaffe creatinine; the 2009 bedside version uses one coefficient, 0.413, calibrated for enzymatic creatinine.

Up to what age can it be used?

It was derived in children aged 1–16 years; in older adolescents a full-age-spectrum equation such as EKFC is an alternative.

Evidence and guidelines

  1. Primary source: Schwartz GJ, Muñoz A, Schneider MF et al. New equations to estimate GFR in children with CKD. J Am Soc Nephrol 2009;20(3):629-637.
  2. KDIGO 2024 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease. Kidney Int 2024;105(4S):S117-S314 — GFR categories G1–G5.

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