title: Urinary and serum biomarkers in ureteropelvic junction obstruction: a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) constitutes a predominant cause of obstructive hydronephrosis. Fundamental questions regarding the assessment and treatment of infants and children with obstructive nephropathy remain unanswered.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Several studies have investigated the usefulness of substances that could serve as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in children with UPJO. Aim of the present study is to systematically review the literature on biomarkers that have been studied to date in patients with UPJO.
  
  
  METHODS
  The main search was conducted in the electronic databases MEDLINE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) from inception through March 2014 using various combinations of Medical Subject Headings (MeSH).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 14 included studies reported data on 380 UPJO patients who underwent surgery, 174 who were treated conservatively and 213 controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Some biomarkers offer promising results however more multicenter, prospective carefully designed studies are needed to evaluate their diagnostic and prognostic value.
authors.affiliation: 1st Pediatric Department, Aristotle University, Hippokratio Hospital , Thessaloniki , Greece.
authors.forename: Fotios
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Papachristou
authors.forename: Antigoni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pavlaki
authors.forename: Nikoleta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Printza
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D019540:Area Under Curve; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012372:ROC Curve; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000652:urine*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: Antenatal hydronephrosis; EGF; NGAL; UPJO; children