Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin Profile in Critically Ill Patients with Decreased of Consciousness

Abstract

Background Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) is an early marker of renal tubules damage. In critically ill patients,there are significant oxygenation disruptions to many organs particularly the kidneys and the brain. Early recognition of renal abnormalities in patients with a decreased  of consciousness may improve the outcomes of these patients.   Objective To observe the profile of Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin in critically ill children with a decreased level of consciousness in Hasan Sadikin Hospital Bandung.   Method A cross-sectional study was performed on critically ill children with a decreased of consciousness in Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung.   Result Fifty-nine patients aged 2-15 years old were included in the study. There were thirty-seven males (62.7%) and twenty-two females (37.2%). In this study, all critically ill patients had elevated urinary NGAL levels with an average value of 606.95 ng/mL (1.20 -24629.59 ng/mL). We found that 30% of these patients developed sepsis caused by various etiologies which mostly were malignancy in 22 patients (37.3%) and pneumonia in 14 patients (23.7%). Of all the patients, 16.9% showed clinical improvement.   Summary Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin level is elevated in critically ill patients with a decreased of consciousness.