Urinary N-Acetyl-\beta-D-Glucosaminidase Excretion in Asphyctic Newborns-Does it Predict the Development of Acute Renal Failure?

Authors: Mete AKİSÜ, Nilgün KÜLTÜRSAY, Resmiye ORAL, Nermin TANSUĞ, Caner KABASAKAL

Abstract: Urinary N-acetyl-\beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) levels of twenty healthy full-term newborns and of seventeen full-term newborns with perinatal asphyxia were evaluated within the first 48 hours of life. Urinary NAG levels and NAG indices (urinary NAG/urinary creatinine ratio) were sig-nificantly higher in newborns with perinatal asphyxia than control group (p<0.001). Four patients who developed an acute renal failure (ARF) had higher urinary NAG levels; but this increase was not found to be significant comparing to the NAG enzymuria in 13 other asphyctic newborns with normal renal functions. It is concluded that NAG enzymuria is an early sensitive indicator of proximal renal tubular damage and perinatal asphyxia but it does not predict the further deterioration in renal functions and the development of ARF.

Keywords: perinatal asphyxia, urine, kidney, N-acetyl-b-D-glucosamindase

Full Text: PDF