Biomarkers for acute kidney injury in children – where are we now?

Abstract

Purpose of review Review the literature over the last 2 years on commonly evaluated biomarkers of acute kidney injury (AKI) and highlight the findings of these biomarkers. Recent findings Among several studied AKI biomarkers, urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and the combination of urine tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (TIMP-2) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) have been recently studied most frequently as diagnostic biomarkers of AKI and for AKI risk stratification. Urine NGAL has continued to show good discriminative value to predict and diagnose AKI in childhood. Urine TIMP-2∗IGFBP7 can provide modest improvement to clinical models of AKI. Summary Prior research supports that AKI biomarkers may identify AKI at an earlier time point and indicate clinically meaningful tubular injury. More effort should be made to understand if AKI biomarkers can guide treatments and improve outcomes