Urinary neopterin and dihydropteridin reductase in children with rheumatoid arthritis

To evaluate the role of pteridin pathway in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis [JRA] urinary neopterin, dihydropterin reductase activity [DHPR] together with serum creatinine and C reactive protein was estimated in 20 children with JRA during activity [GI] and 20 children with JRA during remission [GII] compared with 15 healthy children [GIII]. Neopterin excretion was significantly increased in GI with active RA [608.25 +/- 181.2] than GII with RA during remission [137.6 +/- 33] and GIII [79.2 +/- 26.79]. No statistical correlation was found between urinary neopterin excretion and DHPR in the studied groups