Urinary beta 2-microglobulin and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) as early markers of renal tubular dysfunction in sick neonates.
Urinary beta 2-microglobulin, creatinine, N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), sodium, potassium and plasma beta 2-microglobulin, and creatinine were measured in 34 healthy neonates (including 15 term, 12 prematures with a birth weight between 1.5 and 2.5 kg, 7 prematures with a birth weight less than 1.5 kg), 29 sick neonates (including 6 term, 10 prematures with a birth weight between 1.5 and 2.5 kg, 13 prematures with a birth weight less than 1.5 kg), and 13 term neonates born with meconium-stained amniotic fluid at 1, 3, and 5 days of age. Our data revealed that urinary beta 2-microglobulin, NAG, NAG index (NAG/creatinine), and the sodium concentration were significantly higher in sick preterm and term neonates than in healthy neonates (p less than 0.05). Urinary concentrations of beta 2-microglobulin and NAG were also higher in neonates born with meconium-stained amniotic fluid than in healthy neonates. We conclude that sick neonates have a higher incidence of acute tubular injury. The elevated levels of urinary beta 2-microglobulin and NAG in neonates born with meconium-stained amniotic fluid indicate the existence of tubular dysfunction, probably due to perinatal distress.
Department of Pediatrics, Chung Shang Medical and Dental College Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, R.O.C.
J Y
JY
Chen
Y L
YL
Lee
C B
CB
Liu
D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase / Q000652:urine*; D001238:Asphyxia Neonatorum / Q000652:urine; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D007684:Kidney Tubules / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000652:urine; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000652:urine*
D015415:Biomarkers; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase