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Medical AI Inquiry: You was designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.  Labels: BACKGROUND, METHODS, RESULTS. Meshes: Acute Disease, Acute-Phase Proteins, Area Under Curve, C-Reactive Protein, Child, Child, Preschool, Creatinine, Female, Gene Expression Regulation, Humans, Infant, Leukocytes, Lipocalin-2, Lipocalins, Male, Multivariate Analysis, Proto-Oncogene Proteins, Pyelonephritis, Sensitivity and Specificity, Urinary Tract Infections.
user
Does plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin predict acute pyelonephritis in children with urinary tract infections? Context: The identification of acute pyelonephritis (APN) is still a challenge. Patients admitted for their ﬁrst urinary tract infection (UTI) were enrolled. Plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels were measured at admittance and after treatment. Laboratory, clinical, and imaging results were compared between children with and without APN. A total of 123 patients were enrolled (53 APN and 70 lower UTI). After adjusting for age and gender, plasma NGAL levels were higher in the APN group than in the lower UTI group (233 (129-496) ng/ml vs. 71 (50.8-110) ng/ml, P < 0.001). NGAL levels were correlated with the serum levels of leukocytes, C-reactive protein, and creatinine, as well as fever duration (P < 0.05). Multivariable analysis revealed that log-transformed plasma NGAL was an independent predictor of APN (P < 0.05). Receiver operating curve analysis showed a good diagnostic profile of NGAL for identifying APN (area under the curve 0.864) with a best cut-off value of 102.5 ng/ml. The NGAL levels in both two groups decreased after treatment compared to levels before treatment (P < 0.001).
assistant
Plasma NGAL can be a sensitive predictor for identifying APN and monitoring the treatment response of pediatric UTI. Final Decision: yes