Factors limiting usefulness of serum and urinary NGAL as a marker of acute kidney injury in preterm newborns.

BACKGROUND: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is postulated to be a highly sensitive and specific marker of acute kidney injury (AKI). The aim of this study was to assess the factors affecting serum and urine total NGAL in preterm newborns, limiting the role of this new potential marker of AKI. METHODS: Serum and urinary total NGAL concentrations were determined in 57 preterm infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in the following points of time: first week of life, between 8 and 14 days of life, and after the fourth week of life. Patients' clinical conditions were evaluated based on NTISS (Neonatal Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System). Two gestational age subgroups were distinguished: ≤29 and 30 to 35 weeks of gestation. We sought correlation between total NGAL values and gestational age, birth weight, Apgar score and severity of clinical condition, with particular interest in inflammatory status. RESULTS: Serum and urinary total NGAL concentration correlated with inflammatory markers, such as CRP and procalcitonin, as well as with NTISS values. Birth weight and gestational age influence urinary NGAL (uNGAL) values in the first two weeks of life. In AKI (N = 8) patients uNGAL values were significantly higher than in non-AKI newborns. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that inflammatory status and prematurity limits the specificity of total NGAL measurement as a marker of AKI.

Serum and urinary NGAL in septic newborns.

Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is postulated to be a potentially new and highly specific/sensitive marker of acute kidney injury (AKI). The aim of this study was to assess the impact of inflammation on serum and urine NGAL in newborns that were treated due to infection. We determined serum and urine NGAL concentrations in 73 infants (51 with sepsis; 22 with severe sepsis) admitted to the Intensive Care Unit in the first month of life, for three consecutive days during the course of treatment for infection. 29 neonates without infection served as the control group. Septic patients, in particular, severe sepsis patients, had increased serum and urinary NGAL levels in the three subsequent days of observation. Five septic patients who developed AKI had elevated serum and urinary NGAL values to a similar extent as septic neonates without AKI. A strong correlation was found between the concentration of serum and urinary NGAL and inflammatory markers, such as CRP and procalcitonin. Serum and urinary NGAL levels were also significantly associated with NTISS (neonatal therapeutic intervention scoring system) values. We conclude that increased serum and urinary NGAL values are not solely a marker of AKI, and more accurately reflect the severity of inflammatory status.

Is serum cystatin C a better marker of kidney function than serum creatinine in septic newborns?

INTRODUCTION: Several studies have claimed that the estimation of serum cystatin C could be a better marker of kidney excretory function than serum creatinine. However, its role in the diagnosis of reduced kidney function was not unquestionably confirmed. The aim of this study was to analyze the concentrations of serum cystatin C in neonates with sepsis. MATERIAL/METHODS: Thirty-two neonates (gestational age from 34 to 40 weeks) admitted to the NICU during the first 14 days of life were enrolled. Serum cystatin C concentrations were estimated by ELISA during three successive days in neonates treated for infection. The study group consisted of 9 newborns with sepsis, 14 with severe sepsis and 9 with septic shock. RESULTS/DISCUSSION: At the beginning of the observational period the mean serum concentration of cystatin C in the study group was 1.35 mg/L (95% CI 1.20-1.49). Surprisingly, the lowest concentration of cystatin was observed in patients with septic shock (1.23 mg/L; 95%CI 0.92-1.54) within the observation period. Higher concentrations were found in neonates with sepsis (1.47 mg/L; 95%CI 1.04-1.90) and severe sepsis (1.50; 1.12-1.87). There was no correlation between serum cystatin C concentration and serum creatinine or gestational age. A significant correlation was discovered between chronological age and cystatin C (R=-0.439, p=0.01). There was a tendency for cystatin C to decline during the second observational day in patients with sepsis (to 1.53 mg/L; 95%CI: 1.19-1.86) and severe sepsis (to 1.32 mg/L; 95%CI: 1.07-1.57), while a slight insignificant increase in patient with septic shock (to 1.28 mg/L; 95%CI: 0.88-1.68) was revealed. The interrelation between age and cystatin C concentration disappeared in the following days of stay in the NICU. Even in patients who died in the course of septic shock the observed changes in cystatin C levels were small and did not exceed those of serum creatinine. CONCLUSIONS: Cystatin C is not a useful marker of kidney function in neonates with sepsis.

Babies with myelomeningocele in Poland: parents' attitudes on fetal surgery versus termination of pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Recent surgical advances have resulted in fetal surgery becoming an option for children with myelomeningocele (MMC). However, there is little information about the parents' attitudes towards such therapy. METHODS: Following a lecture on the current status and problems of fetal surgery for MMC, a 12-item questionnaire was administered to 58 parents of children with MMC. Questionnaire topics included knowledge of the disease and treatment options, as well as attitudes and concerns towards fetal surgery or termination of pregnancy. RESULTS: Following the lecture, 14 (out of 58) parents felt that knowledge of the disease would allow for abortion to be an option, while 18 were uncertain. Once informed of potential risks and benefits of fetal surgery, 34 parents had a positive or rather positive attitude towards this procedure. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of these results, it was concluded that this population is potentially interested in the use of fetal surgery.

Randomized clinical trial of prevention of hydrocephalus after intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm infants: brain-washing versus tapping fluid.

OBJECTIVE: Hydrocephalus is a serious complication of intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm infants, with adverse consequences from permanent ventriculoperitoneal shunt dependence. The development of hydrocephalus takes several weeks, but no clinical intervention has been shown to reduce shunt surgery in such infants. The aim of this study was to test a new treatment intended to prevent hydrocephalus and shunt dependence after intraventricular hemorrhage. METHODS: We randomly assigned 70 preterm infants who had gestational ages of 24 to 34 weeks and were progressively enlarging their cerebral ventricles after intraventricular hemorrhage to either (1) drainage, irrigation, and fibrinolytic therapy to wash out blood and cytokines or (2) tapping of cerebrospinal fluid by reservoir as required to control excessive expansion and signs of pressure (standard treatment). We evaluated outcomes at 6 months of age or hospital discharge (if later). RESULTS: Of 34 infants who were assigned to drainage, irrigation, and fibrinolytic therapy, 2 died and 13 underwent shunt surgery (dead or shunt: 44%). Of 36 infants who were assigned to standard therapy, 5 died and 14 underwent shunt surgery (dead or shunt: 50%). This difference was not significant. Twelve (35%) of 34 infants who received drainage, irrigation, and fibrinolytic therapy had secondary intraventricular hemorrhage compared with 3 (8%) of 36 in the standard group. Secondary intraventricular hemorrhage was associated with an increased risk for subsequent shunt surgery and more blood transfusions. CONCLUSIONS: Despite its logical basis and encouraging pilot data, drainage, irrigation, and fibrinolytic therapy did not reduce shunt surgery or death when tested in a multicenter, randomized trial. Secondary intraventricular hemorrhage is a major factor that counteracts any possible therapeutic effect from washing out old blood.