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Use of single voided urine samples to estimate quantitative proteinuria in children
1Department of Pediatrics, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Izmir.
Insights
Measuring the urine protein/creatinine ratio in a single sample accurately predicts 24-hour protein excretion. This simpler method can replace lengthy 24-hour urine collections for diagnosing kidney conditions.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Clinical Chemistry
- Pediatric Medicine
Background:
- Quantifying urinary protein aids in diagnosing and monitoring kidney disease and treatment efficacy in children.
- Current 24-hour urine collection methods are often inaccurate and time-consuming.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the correlation between urinary protein/creatinine ratio in single voided samples and 24-hour protein excretion.
- To establish the utility of single-sample protein/creatinine ratio as a diagnostic tool.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 50 pediatric patients' urine samples.
- Comparison of protein/creatinine ratios in single morning samples with total protein excretion in 24-hour specimens.
Main Results:
- An excellent correlation was observed between 24-hour protein excretion and morning urine protein/creatinine ratios.
- A protein/creatinine ratio >4.9 indicated nephrotic-range proteinuria.
- A ratio <2.5 suggested nephritic syndrome or other renal diseases.
Conclusions:
- The urinary protein/creatinine ratio in a single morning sample is a reliable substitute for 24-hour urine protein measurements.
- This method is particularly effective for diagnosing nephrotic syndrome and other renal conditions.
- The protein/creatinine ratio offers a more convenient and accurate diagnostic approach.
Abstract:
Quantitation of protein excretion in urine is used for diagnostic and prognostic purposes and also to assess the effects of therapy in children. The method in common use is to measure urinary protein in a 24-hour urine sample, which may be time consuming and is often inaccurate. The aim of this study was to determine if the urine protein/creatinine ratio in a single-void urine sample had a high correlation with the quantity of protein in a 24-hour urine specimen. We found that there was an excellent correlation between the protein content of a 24-hour urine excretion and the protein/creatinine ratios in single morning urine samples of 50 patients. We also discovered that a protein/creatinine ratio greater than 4.9 could signify "nephrotic-range" proteinuria, while a ratio less than 2.5 indicated nephritic syndrome or other renal diseases. We concluded that the determination of urinary protein/creatinine concentration ratios in a single morning urine sample under most clinical circumstances, especially in nephrotic syndrome, could replace the measurement of protein excretion in 24-hour urine specimens.