Is an estimated glomerular filtration rate of 104.68 ml/min/1.73 m² normal for a healthy 15‑year‑old female?

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Last updated: September 18, 2026 • View editorial policy

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Yes, 104.68 ml/min/1.73m² is a normal glomerular filtration rate for a 15-year-old female.

This eGFR value falls well within the normal range for a healthy adolescent and indicates excellent kidney function.

Understanding Normal GFR in Adolescents

The standard adult threshold of 60 ml/min/1.73 m² used to define chronic kidney disease is not appropriate for children and adolescents. Research demonstrates that normal GFR values in young people are substantially higher than this cutoff 1, 2.

Age-Specific Reference Values

  • In healthy adolescents and young adults, abnormal GFR begins below 75 ml/min/1.73 m² 1
  • At age 20, the median (50th percentile) eGFR is approximately 99-101 ml/min/1.73 m² in both males and females 3
  • The 95th percentile at age 20 reaches 119-121 ml/min/1.73 m² 3
  • Normal reference ranges for GFR in children and adolescents are "largely over 60 ml/min/1.73 m²" and extend well into the range of 90+ ml/min/1.73 m² 2

Clinical Context for This Patient

At 104.68 ml/min/1.73 m², this 15-year-old female has:

  • An eGFR above the median for her age group
  • A value that falls comfortably within the normal distribution (between the 50th and 95th percentiles)
  • No evidence of kidney disease based on GFR alone

Important Caveats

Complete Assessment Required

While the GFR is normal, CKD diagnosis requires evaluation beyond GFR alone 4, 5:

  • Check for albuminuria (urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio ≥30 mg/g)
  • Review for other markers of kidney damage (hematuria, imaging abnormalities)
  • CKD is only diagnosed when abnormalities persist for ≥3 months

Age-Related Decline

GFR physiologically declines with age at approximately 0.4 ml/min/year in healthy individuals 6, 3. This means values that are normal in adolescence would be concerning in older adults, and vice versa—the fixed 60 ml/min/1.73 m² threshold fails to account for this age-dependent variation 2.

Equation Considerations

For adolescents transitioning to adult care (typically ages 16-18), the CKD-EPI equation used in adults significantly overestimates GFR (bias of +21 ml/min/1.73 m²) compared to measured GFR 7. The Chronic Kidney Disease in Children (CKiD) equation is more accurate in this age group 7. However, at age 15, pediatric equations remain most appropriate.

In summary: This eGFR represents normal, healthy kidney function for a 15-year-old female, with no intervention required based on this value alone.

References

2
Research

Normal reference values for glomerular filtration rate: what do we really know?

Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation : official publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association, 2012

4
Guideline

standards of medical care for type 2 diabetes in china 2019.

Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews, 2019

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This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.