Home › Nephrology & Electrolytes › Bedside Schwartz

Bedside Schwartz eGFR (Pediatric)

The 2009 bedside Schwartz equation estimates GFR in children as 0.413 × height (cm) ÷ serum creatinine (mg/dL), in mL/min/1.73 m². Developed in children aged 1–16 with CKD; values <90 suggest reduced function.

Height (cm or m or in)
Serum creatinine (mg/dL or µmol/L)

—

Interpretation

Result	Meaning
≥ 90	G1
60–89	G2
30–59	G3
15–29	G4
< 15	G5

Formula

eGFR (mL/min/1.73 m²) = 0.413 × height (cm) ÷ Scr (mg/dL). SI: 36.5 × height (cm) ÷ Scr (µmol/L).

Clinical pearls

Requires an enzymatic, IDMS-traceable creatinine; the old Jaffe-based Schwartz constants (0.55, 0.45) overestimate GFR with modern assays.
Derived in children with CKD (CKiD cohort, ages 1–16); less accurate at normal GFR and in infants under 1 year.

Examples

bedside schwartz height 120 cm creatinine 0.5 pediatric gfr 8 year old 130cm cr 45 umol/L schwartz 150 cm scr 1.2

FAQ

What constant does the bedside Schwartz formula use?

0.413 with height in cm and creatinine in mg/dL (about 36.5 with creatinine in µmol/L).

Can adult eGFR equations be used in children?

No. CKD-EPI and MDRD were developed in adults; use bedside Schwartz (or CKiD U25) in children.

Evidence

Schwartz GJ et al. New equations to estimate GFR in children with CKD. J Am Soc Nephrol 2009;20:629–37.

Nephrology & Electrolytes · Reviewed 2026-10-14 · Methodology