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Paediatric normative data for urine NGAL/creatinine ratio.
Agnieszka Rybi-Szumińska1, Anna Wasilewska, Miecyslaw Litwin
1Department of Pediatrics and Nephrology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland. arszuminska@gmail.com
Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|February 20, 2013
Summary
This study established age-dependent urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL)/creatinine ratio values in healthy children and adolescents. These normative values aid in interpreting NGAL/creatinine in pediatric populations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Biomarker Research
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a biomarker with potential applications in pediatric kidney health.
- Establishing age-specific reference ranges is crucial for accurate clinical interpretation of NGAL/creatinine ratios in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine age-dependent reference values for the urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL)/creatinine ratio in healthy children and adolescents.
- To provide normative data for improved diagnostic and prognostic assessments in pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 172 healthy children and adolescents (aged 0.2-17.9 years).
- Urine NGAL concentrations were quantified using a commercial ELISA kit.
- Urine NGAL/creatinine ratios were analyzed for age-dependent variations.
Main Results:
- Statistically significant differences in urine NGAL/creatinine ratios were observed between children under 6 years and older individuals.
- No significant differences were found between other age groups.
- A statistically significant negative correlation was identified between urine NGAL/creatinine ratio and age (r = -0.29, p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Normative age-dependent values for urine NGAL/creatinine in children and adolescents (0.2-17.9 years) have been successfully established.
- These findings provide valuable reference data for clinicians and researchers interpreting urine NGAL/creatinine in pediatric patients.
- Further research with larger datasets is recommended to establish reference values stratified by age and gender.
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