Length of Normal Kidneys in Thai Adults
Udom Krairittichai MD*, Siriporn Leehacharoenkul MD*, Jirapong Dowreang MD**
Affiliation : * Department of Medicine, Rajavithi Hospital, College of Medicine, Raangsit University, Bangkok, Thailand ** Department of Radiology, Rajavithi Hospital, College of Medicine, Rangsit University, Bangkok, Thailand
Background : The length of kidney plays important role in diagnosing chronic kidney diseases. Kidney length can be
measured by ultrasound, a cheap, convenient and noninvasive method. There is no report on the length of kidney in healthy
Thai people.
Objective : To measure the length of normal kidneys in Thai adults volunteers by ultrasonography.
Material and Method: Healthy volunteers were recruited and the study was performed from April 2008 to June 2009. All
volunteers were examined by the same standard ultrasound machine and the same radiologist throughout the study period.
Results : A total of 509 healthy volunteers were enrolled. The average lengths of left and right kidney were 10.24 + 0.70 and
10.09 + 0.68 cm, respectively. Male kidney was bigger than the female kidney. Kidney length slightly increased until the age
of 50 and become smaller at the age of 60 or more. Kidney length showed no correlation with age, body weight, body mass
index and body surface area.
Conclusion : The average lengths of left and right kidney were 10.24 + 0.70 and 10.09 + 0.68 cm, respectively. The length
below 9.00 cm may indicate the state of kidney diseases.
Keywords : Kidney length, Ultrasound, Ultrasonography
