Evaluation of Urinary Neutrophil Gelatinase-associated Lipocalin as a Biomarker in Pediatric Vesicoureteral Reflux Assessment

Authors

  • Rahimpour Amiri Pediatric Department, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran Author
  • Javad Faradmal Modelling of Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center and Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran Author
  • Bareza Rezaie Emergency Department, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran Author
  • Iraj Sedighi Pediatric Department, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran Author
  • Zahra Sanaei Community Medicine Specialist, Department of Community Medicine, Education Development Office, Hamadan University of Medical Science, Hamadan, Iran Author
  • Ghasem Solgi Immunology Department, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran Author

Abstract

Introduction. Defining a non-invasive marker to predict the risk of kidney damage is very helpful to manage vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in children. This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) as a non-invasive biomarker of reflux nephropathy in pediatric with primary VUR. Methods. This case-control study was performed on 63 children with primary VUR and 72 age- and sex-matched healthy children as controls. Urinary NGAL and creatinine levels were measured and compared between patients and control groups as well as among the subgroups of patients in terms of disease severity. Results. Among patients, 9 cases were diagnosed as mild, 35 as moderate, and 19 with a severe form of VUR. We observed higher but insignificant levels of uNGAL in patients versus healthy controls (P > .05), in cases with severe form compared to mild and moderate forms of VUR (P > .05) as well as in those patients with bilateral versus unilateral involvement (P > .05). The mean ratios of uNGAL/uCr were significantly higher in patients group than controls (P < .05) as well as in patients with severe form compared to moderate and mild forms of VUR (P < .05 and P < .05, respectively). Also, ROC analysis revealed the sensitivity of 61% and specificity of 53% for uNGAL/uCr ratio for prediction of VUR. Conclusion. Our findings indicate a potential predictive value of uNGAL/uCr ratio as a non-invasive biomarker for the management of VUR although, its clinical application has been challenging and needs to be confirmed by further investigations.

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Published

2020-09-16

Issue

Section

ORIGINAL | Kidney Diseases

How to Cite

Evaluation of Urinary Neutrophil Gelatinase-associated Lipocalin as a Biomarker in Pediatric Vesicoureteral Reflux Assessment. (2020). Iranian Journal of Kidney Diseases, 14(5), 373-379. https://ijkd.org/index.php/ijkd/article/view/5259

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