Association of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and blood pressure in children with Henoch Schönlein Purpura

Methods We conducted a 6-month prospective cohort study of subjects <18 years who were evaluated for new-onset HSP between February 2009 and June 2010. Weight, height, and casual BP were recorded at 0-7, 60 and 180 days and first-morning urine samples were collected at 0-7, 14, 28, 60, and 180 days after diagnosis. Twenty-four-hour ABPM was completed 6 months after diagnosis. BP measurements were standardized using body mass index and BP Z-scores (casual) and BP index (ABPM). Mixed effects regression models with pre-specified individual level covariates (age and gender) as fixed effects and subject as a random effect were used to examine the relationship between urinary NGAL and the following: 1) casual SBP and DBP over time, 2) ABPM at 6 months after diagnosis, and 3) urine protein to creatinine ratio over time.