1. What is the Schwartz Pediatric Formula?

The Schwartz pediatric formula is a widely used equation for estimating creatinine clearance in children. It provides a practical method for assessing kidney function in pediatric patients using height and serum creatinine measurements.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Schwartz pediatric formula:

Where:

• \( CrCl \) — Creatinine clearance (mL/min/1.73m²)
• \( Height \) — Patient height in centimeters
• \( k \) — Age-dependent constant
• \( SCr \) — Serum creatinine (mg/dL)

k Constants:

• 0.33 — For infants (low birth weight)
• 0.45 — For children (1-12 years)
• 0.55 — For adolescents (13-18 years)

3. Importance of Pediatric CrCl Calculation

Details: Accurate creatinine clearance estimation in children is essential for diagnosing kidney dysfunction, monitoring treatment response, and adjusting medication dosages for renally excreted drugs.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter height in centimeters, select appropriate k constant based on patient age group, and serum creatinine in mg/dL. All values must be valid (height > 0, SCr > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use height instead of weight in pediatric formula?
A: Height correlates better with muscle mass and kidney size in growing children, providing more stable estimates across different body compositions.

Q2: What are normal CrCl values in children?
A: Normal values vary by age but generally range from 70-140 mL/min/1.73m², with higher values in younger children.

Q3: When should this formula not be used?
A: Avoid in patients with rapidly changing creatinine levels, severe malnutrition, amputations, or muscle wasting diseases.

Q4: How accurate is the Schwartz formula?
A: It provides reasonable estimates for clinical use but may overestimate GFR in patients with reduced muscle mass.

Q5: Can this be used for drug dosing?
A: Yes, it's commonly used for adjusting doses of antibiotics, anticonvulsants, and other renally eliminated medications in children.