Abstract
Introduction: Nephropathy as a consequence of congenital heart disease (CHD), especially cyanotic heart disease, has been detected since past decades. However, lack of a diagnostic method at early stages of the disease, caused patients referring when nephropathy is established and also complicated with severe proteinuria and renal failure. Urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is known as one of the newest biomarkers for early detection of renal parenchymal damage. In this study, we attempted to evaluate the role of urinary NGAL level in early detection of nephropathy in pediatrics with CHD. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate urinary NGAL as a potential biomarker for the early detection of renal involvement in children with CHD. Patients and Methods: In this case–control study, urinary NGAL levels of 42 children with CHD (case group) and 42 healthy children (control group) with the matched ages were measured. Afterward, we compared mean urinary NGAL levels between these two groups to find a possible significant difference. Results: In this study, mean urinary NGAL level in patients with CHD and healthy children was 3.83 μg/mL and 1.87 μg/mL, respectively. Although the mean urine NGAL level was higher in children with CHD compared to healthy children, this difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: in this study, it can be concluded that, urinary NGAL level cannot be used as an early diagnostic test of nephropathy in children with CHD.
Highlights
Nephropathy as a consequence of congenital heart disease (CHD), especially cyanotic heart disease, has been detected since past decades
This study aimed to evaluate the role of urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), as a biomarker of renal damage in children with CHD, by comparing urinary levels of this substance between healthy children and patients with CHD
According to the results of the above table, there was no significant difference between the average urinary NGAL levels of CHD patients and the control group
Summary
Nephropathy as a consequence of congenital heart disease (CHD), especially cyanotic heart disease, has been detected since past decades. Renal involvement has been recognized as a complication caused by cardiovascular disease, cyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD). This type of nephropathy may present as proteinuria or renal dysfunction. The major problem is that when nephropathy is diagnosed in patients with CHD, it has already reached the irreversible stages, so there is little chance to change the course of renal damage. These patients, besides their underlying heart disease, may suffer from chronic kidney disease [1,2]. A significant increase may not be detected in serum creatinine until the occurrence of a remarkable renal dysfunction [5,6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
