Yale Researchers Unveil Biomarker Panel to Enhance CKD Risk Assessment in Children

Yale School of Medicine researchers have developed a novel biomarker panel aimed at improving the assessment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression in children. This significant advancement, published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology on June 10, 2025, addresses a critical need in pediatric nephrology, as CKD can lead to kidney failure, necessitating dialysis or transplantation, particularly among children aged six months to sixteen years. The study, part of the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children (CKiD) Cohort Study, involved over 500 participants and focused on identifying predictive biomarkers in plasma and urine to enhance clinical monitoring and treatment strategies.

The research team, led by Dr. Jason Greenberg, an associate professor of pediatrics (nephrology) at Yale, utilized regression tree-based statistical modeling to isolate the most informative biomarkers. The final panel includes the urine albumin/creatinine ratio, urine epidermal growth factor/creatinine ratio, plasma kidney injury molecule-1, and estimated glomerular filtration rate. "While current clinical biomarkers only partially capture the variability of CKD progression, this research demonstrates that a combination of biomarkers which represent key pathways of kidney health can significantly improve risk prediction," stated Dr. Greenberg, who also serves as a member of the Yale Clinical and Translational Research Accelerator (CTRA).

The implications of this study could be profound. According to Dr. F. Perry Wilson, MD, MSCE, another key researcher and associate professor of medicine (nephrology) and public health at Yale, the findings underscore the importance of integrating tubular health biomarkers into CKD risk assessment. This integration often remains overlooked in clinical practice. Dr. Wilson emphasized that understanding individual risk levels can enable families to engage in preventative strategies, thereby potentially reducing the frequency of medical visits for those at lower risk, and allowing for more tailored clinical management for those at higher risk.

This study builds upon existing research within the Chronic Kidney Disease Biomarkers Consortium, which has previously examined various kidney health indicators. The panel's ability to effectively identify children at the highest risk of CKD progression signifies a leap forward in personalized medicine within pediatric nephrology, promising to improve long-term outcomes for affected children.

The alarming mortality rates associated with kidney failure in children necessitate ongoing advancements in predictive methodologies. By focusing on a multi-biomarker approach, this research could pave the way for enhanced clinical monitoring, more strategic treatment plans, and ultimately, better health outcomes for pediatric patients suffering from CKD. The findings present a vital opportunity for further research and development in the realm of kidney health and disease management.

In conclusion, Yale's innovative biomarker panel not only enhances our understanding of CKD progression in children but also exemplifies the potential of personalized medicine to significantly improve patient care. As continued research unfolds, the integration of such biomarkers into routine clinical practices may become essential in monitoring and managing chronic kidney conditions in the pediatric population.

For more information, refer to the original study: Jason H. Greenberg et al, "Biomarker Panels for Discriminating Risk of CKD Progression in Children," Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (2025). DOI: 10.1681/ASN.0000000602.