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Archives of Disease in Childhood. Fetal and Neonatal Edition logoLink to Archives of Disease in Childhood. Fetal and Neonatal Edition
. 1997 Jul;77(1):F57–F60. doi: 10.1136/fn.77.1.f57

Indices of renal tubular function in perinatal asphyxia

F Willis, J Summers, C Minutillo, I Hewitt
PMCID: PMC1720666  PMID: 9279185

Abstract

Aims—To determine and compare two urinary indices of renal tubular function, N-acetyl-glucosaminidase (NAG) and β2-microglobulin (β2M), in healthy term neonates and babies with perinatal asphyxia.
METHODS—In a prospective case-control study using asphyxiated (n=35) and normal control (n=55) infants, urinary NAG and β2M were assayed at 24-48 hours of life, 4-6 days, and 4-6 weeks.
RESULTS—NAG and β2M were significantly increased at 24-48 hours and 4-6 days in the asphyxiated infants compared with the controls. Increased NAG values reflect the degree of perinatal asphyxia more than do β2M. Gentamicin also increased NAG excretion, but to a lesser extent than did perinatal asphyxia.
CONCLUSIONS—NAG (+/- β2M) may be a useful marker of perinatal asphyxia. Urinary NAG concentrations correlate with the severity of perinatal asphyxia.

 Keywords: perinatal asphyxia; renal tubular function; N-acetyl-glucosaminidase

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Selected References

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