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Published on: July 18, 2017
Urinary endothellin-1 level in children with pyelonephritis and hydronephrosis
Mostafa Sharifian1, Mitra Ahmadi, Abdollah Karimi
1Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran. sharifian.dorche@gmail.com
Urinary endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels are significantly higher in children with hydronephrosis and urinary tract infection (UTI). This finding suggests urinary ET-1 may serve as a valuable diagnostic marker for obstructive hydronephrosis in young children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Urology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Hydronephrosis is frequently observed in children with urinary tract infections (UTIs).
- Endothelin-1 (ET-1), a vasoconstrictive peptide, is known to increase with urinary obstruction.
- Elevated urinary ET-1 levels have been linked to urinary tract obstructions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate urinary endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels in pediatric patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs) and hydronephrosis.
- To assess the potential of urinary ET-1 as a biomarker for diagnosing hydronephrosis, particularly obstructive cases, in children.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 45 children with UTI and hydronephrosis (cases) and 45 children with UTI but no hydronephrosis (controls).
- Quantification of urinary ET-1 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
- Measurement of urinary creatinine (Cr) via the Jaffe method to normalize ET-1 levels for urinary flow rate.
Main Results:
- The mean urinary ET-1 level was significantly higher in the hydronephrosis group (89.6 ± 41.7 pg/dL) compared to the control group (29.3 ± 26 pg/dL) (P <0.001).
- Patients with grade 4 hydronephrosis exhibited a mean urinary ET-1 level of 121 ± 55.4 pg/dL.
- Urinary ET-1 levels were notably elevated in obstructed cases versus non-obstructed cases.
Conclusions:
- Urinary endothelin-1 (ET-1) is significantly elevated in pediatric patients with hydronephrosis, especially obstructive types.
- Urinary ET-1 shows promise as a non-invasive biomarker for the diagnosis of hydronephrosis in young children.
- Further research can validate urinary ET-1 for early detection and management of obstructive uropathies.
Related Concept Videos
Acute Pyelonephritis I: Introduction
Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management
Serum Studies: Renal Function Tests
Acute Kidney Injury II: Pathophysiology
Urinary Tract Calculi II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations
Urinary Tract Infection II: Pathophysiology

