[Evaluation of N-acetyl-beta glucosaminidase in upper and lower urinary tract infections in childhood. Clinical study of 168 children].
BACKGROUND
Urinary N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (NAG) is a renal tubular enzyme that may be used as a marker of tubular damage.


METHODS
We studied 96 patients 1 to 8 years old and considered NAG excretion to distinguish cystitis from pyelonephritis. Whenever urinary NAG values were expressed in relation to urinary creatinine concentration and compared with urinary NAG values in 72 normal controls 1 to 14 years old grouped by age.


RESULTS
Our results demonstrate that urinary NAG levels are elevated in children with pyelonephritis in the presence or absence of urinary tract abnormality.


CONCLUSIONS
Therefore, we conclude that NAG may be considered as a further criteria in the diagnosis of upper urinary tract infection and interstitial tubular damage.
Belli
A
A
Istituto di Clinica Pediatrica, Università degli Studi di Roma, La Sapienza, Roma.
Scalercio
F
F
Martino
F
F
Guido
F
F
Aprigliano
D
D
Lorusso
G
G
Mannarino
O
O
Ruberto
U
U
D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase / Q000652:urine*; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000652:urine*
D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase
Valutazione della N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidasi (NAG) nelle infezioni delle alte e delle basse vie urinarie in età pediatrica. Studio clinico su 168 bambini.