title: [Evaluation of N-acetyl-beta glucosaminidase in upper and lower urinary tract infections in childhood. Clinical study of 168 children].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Clinica Pediatrica, Università degli Studi di Roma, La Sapienza, Roma.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Belli
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Scalercio
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Martino
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Guido
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Aprigliano
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lorusso
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Mannarino
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ruberto
mesh_terms: D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase / Q000652:urine*; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000652:urine*
chemical_list: D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase
vernacular_title: Valutazione della N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidasi (NAG) nelle infezioni delle alte e delle basse vie urinarie in età pediatrica. Studio clinico su 168 bambini.