Tubular proteinuria after perinatal hypoxia

Urinary total protein (UTP) and urinary protein pattern have been studied in 23 newborn infants with Apgar scores less than or equal to 3 at one minute or acidosis (pH less than or equal to 7.15) on the first day. On the first and second day UTP excretion was increased in 13 out of 18 patients. At this time the excretion of low molecular weight microproteins (T-4 and T-5) was elevated in 12 patients without increased plasma urea concentration in any case. The increased excretion of the smallest microproteins T-4/T-5 is an early sign of an impaired tubular function.