Radiology, Vol 148, 429-432, Copyright © 1983 by Radiological Society of North America
The effect of contrast media on immature renal function. Comparison of agents with high and low osmolality
LA Harvey, WJ Caldicott and A Kuruc
Contrast media having high osmolality (methylglucamine diatrizoate; 1,510
mOsm/kg) and low osmolality (triiodoisophthaldiamide, 616 mOsm/kg) were
compared in 15 functionally immature rabbits 2-3 weeks of age. Renal
function was assessed with a gamma camera and whole-body counter, using
excretion of technetium-99m-tin-DTPA as an index of glomerular filtration
rate. Both DTPA and the contrast agent (2 ml/kg) were injected as a single
intravenous bolus in 15 seconds. After 40 minutes, per cent DTPA excreted
was 33.0 +/- 2.3 for triiodoisophthaldiamide and 28.2 +/- 1.5 (p less than
0.01) for methylglucamine diatrizoate. Excretion of DTPA was reduced with
the latter (p less than 0.005) but not the former agent (p greater than
0.6). Thus contrast materials with high osmolality depress renal function
in immature rabbits, suggesting that agents with low osmolality are
preferable for use in newborns.
