Urine Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin as a Predictor of Vesicoureteral Reflux and Renal Parenchymal Damage: A Systematic Review

Background: Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is the most common congenital urinary tract abnormality in children. Renal parenchymal damage devastating complication of severe undiagnosed VUR. Different diagnostic biomarkers have been introduced as alternatives for radiologic evaluation these patients. This review article aimed to increase knowledge about role urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) children affected by primary VUR and renal damage. Methods: A systematic PubMed, Scopus, Web Science, ProQuest, Ovid was conducted September 2022 retrieve studies that investigated correlation between uNGAL or uNGAL/Cr excretion male/female patients younger than 18 years age. Patients with secondary VUR, age older years, infectious inflammatory disorders, obstructive uropathies, acute chronic kidney diseases were excluded. Two reviewers independently screened titles abstracts search results then assessed full texts selected from pertinent studies. Results: Eighteen research articles a total sample 699 found measure scarring. UNGAL had increased majority RPD, positive no severity Conclusions: Several addressed putative prediction reflux-associated RPD.