title: Urinary nerve growth factor level in children with neurogenic bladder due to myelomeningocele.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Myelomeningocele is the most common physically disabling birth defect in humans. It is caused by the failure of the neural tube to close and is most common in the lumbosacral area. Because of associated neurogenic bladder dysfunction, children with myelomeningocele have an increased risk of urinary tract infections and, ultimately, of kidney damage. Nerve growth factor (NGF) is an important mediator inducing bladder overactivity in many pathological conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate urinary NGF excretion in children with neurogenic bladder caused by myelomeningocele.
  
  
  METHODS
  The investigation was conducted into two groups. Group 1 comprised 28 children with neurogenic bladder, and group 2 comprised 20 healthy children with no abnormalities in the urinary and nervous systems. Urinary NGF levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Median urinary NGF concentration in group 1 was higher when compared with healthy controls. Positive correlations between urinary NGF level and detrusor pressure at maximum bladder capacity, and negative correlations between NGF and bladder wall compliance were found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Urinary NGF levels were significantly elevated in patients with myelomeningocele. Future studies are needed to examine further the significance of urinary NGF levels in the pathogenesis of neurogenic bladder in this clinical condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics and Nephrology, Medical University of Białystok , Białystok , Poland.
authors.forename: Agata
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Korzeniecka-Kozerska
authors.forename: Tadeusz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Porowski
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Michaluk-Skutnik
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wasilewska
authors.forename: Grzegorz
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Płoński
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008591:Meningomyelocele / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000652:urine*; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000503:physiopathology; D001750:Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000652:urine*; D053201:Urinary Bladder, Overactive / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000652:urine; D014563:Urodynamics / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor