Objectives: Lifestyle changes with increased physical activity and balanced energy intake are recognized as the principal interventions in obesity and insulin resistance. Only few prospective studies, however, have so far addressed the potential role of r

Objectives: To determine the pediatric reference interval for serum β-trace protein (β-TP) and to compare β-TP with established LMW markers of GFR, i.e., cystatin C (CysC) and β2-microglobulin (β2-M). Design and methods: All three LMW markers were measured immunonephelometrically. In 106 children above the age of 2 years without evidence of kidney disease, non-parametric reference intervals were calculated. The relative rise of the GFR marker concentrations above the upper reference was studied in 107 samples from 96 patients covering the entire GFR range. Results: Above 2 years, the reference range of β-TP was constant at 0.43–1.04 mg/L. With decreasing Schwartz-GFR, there was a comparable rise in β-TP and β2-M, while CysC rose less in the group with GFR below 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 (278 ± 49% [CysC] versus 336 ± 65% [β-TP] and 342 ± 76% [β2-M]; p = 0.043 and 0.027, respectively). Conclusions: These data confirm the potential of ß-TP as an endogenous GFR marker in children.