Urinary iron children with nephrotic syndrome

ABSTRACT

Urinary transferrin loss is a typical feature in relapse of the idiopathic nephrotic syndrome [I.N.S.], also, there is increased urinary iron in animals and humans with nephrotic syndrome. Urinary N-acetyl-beta-D- gluosaminidase [NAG] is indicator for renal damage. To estimate the urinary iron and urinary NAG in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome, and the possible role of iron in the different histopathological types of the disease. Our study was performed on 2 groups of patients, minimal change nephrotic syndrome [MC NS] group 10 children [6 boys and 4 girls] mean age 9.75 +/- 2.2 years, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. [FSGS] group 8 children [5 boys and 3 girls] mean age 9.63 +/- 1.9 years with 12 children [7 boys and 5 girls] of matched ages as a control group. Laboratory parameters hemoglobin concentration [HB], serum albumin, serum iron, serum ferritin, serum transferrin, serum creatinine, BUN, urinary protein per 24 H, urinary transferrin, urinary iron and urinary NAG were evaluated. The results proved decrease in HB in both group of N.S., decrease serum albumin, serum iron, serum ferritin and serum transferrin in both groups of N.S. especially FSGS and significant increase in urinary protein per 24H, urinary transferrin, urinary iron and urinary NAG in both groups of N.S especially FSGS group. There was an increased urinary transferrin and this is accompanied by corresponding increase in a reactive iron species and this could incite tubulo-interstitial injury and renal damage. Measuring urinary iron and urinary NAG could be a respectable method for follow up and prediction of the prognosis in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome