Value of Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin as a Biomarker of Renal Involvement and Activity in Pediatric Patients with Lupus

Abstract

he study was aimed to investigate the expression of urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The ultimate objective is to identify non-invasive markers of activity and or severity of lupus nephritis that would aid in the management of these cases. We conducted a comparative cross-sectional study over a period of 6 months (from August 2019 to March 2020) at the Pediatric Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology Unit, Children’s Hospital, Ain Shams University. The study included total number of 60 subjects who were classified into 40 patients with SLE and 20 age and sex-matched subjects as a control group. The SLE patients comprised 20 cases of lupus nephritis (LN) and 20 SLE cases with normal kidneys. The urinary NGAL level was measured in the patients and controls by an enzymatic immunoassay. They were subjected to clinical evaluation including the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) scoring for disease activity and laboratory evaluation including diagnostic markers of SLE and renal function tests as well as 24 hours urinary protein concentration. Renal biopsy results, with histopathological class identification, were included for the LN group.