Abstract
Objective This study was conducted to evaluate the predictive value of urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated
lipocalin (uNGAL) for acute kidney injury (AKI) among septic preterm infants.
Methods Twenty-six very low-birth-weight (VLBW) babies were separated into three groups:
group I, healthy preterms; group II, preterms with sepsis but without AKI; group III,
preterms with sepsis and AKI. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data of the babies
were recorded. uNGAL and creatinine values were obtained on days 1, 3, and 7 of life.
Results uNGAL levels differed statistically among three groups for all 3 days. Levels in
group I (days 1, 3, and 7) were significant lower than levels in both groups II and
III [median (interquartile range): 4.5 (10.8) µ/L, 8.7 (18.5) µ/L, and 4.3 (1.1) µ/L,
respectively]. In group III, uNGAL levels on days 1 and 3 were significantly higher
than levels in group II (p = 0.001, 0.016, respectively).
Conclusion First-day uNGAL levels were higher in VLBW preterm infants who later developed sepsis;
whether the baby had AKI or not; but uNGAL levels were higher in septic babies with
AKI compared with the infants without AKI. uNGAL is a promising early biomarker of
AKI in VLBW infants with sepsis.
Keywords
NGAL - acute kidney injury - sepsis - VLBW prematurity
