Are plasma proteins a valid alternative for assessing nephrotic syndrome in children from low-income countries?

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

A diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome (NS) in children with edema relies on urinary albumin excretion and usually plasma protein (Pprot) and albumin (Palb) concentrations.

METHODS:

In order to fit laboratory tests to optimal healthcare in low-resource countries, we established correlations between Pprot and Palb in children with NS (217 measurements in 60 patients) and in children with exudative enteropathy and chronic hepatopathy/liver insufficiency (186 measurements in 21 patients); all patients had repeated measurements at various stages of their disease.

RESULTS:

There was a good correlation between Pprot and Palb in children with idiopathic NS and genetic NS (ICC=0.8, p < 0.0001, 95% CI: 0.8-0.9 and ICC=0.8, p < 0.0001, 95% CI: 0.7-0.8, respectively), whereas the correlation was average (exudative enteropathy) or absent (chronic hepatopathy) in those without renal protein loss.

CONCLUSION:

Since Palb measurement is around two times more expensive than Pprot measurement, these results suggest giving priority to total Pprot measurement in the diagnosis and follow-up of children with the NS, mainly in low-resource countries.

• Authors: A A Ndongo, B Ranchin, R Cartier, A Bertholet-Thomas, J Bacchetta, P Cochat
• Journal: Archives de pediatrie : organe officiel de la Societe francaise de pediatrie (Arch Pediatr) Vol. 29 Issue 4 Pg. 263-266 (May 2022) ISSN: 1769-664X [Electronic] France
• PMID: 35382952 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2022 French Society of Pediatrics. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Albumins
• Blood Proteins

Topics

• Albumins (metabolism)
• Blood Proteins (metabolism)
• Child
• Female
• Humans
• Kidney
• Male
• Nephrotic Syndrome (diagnosis)
• Protein-Losing Enteropathies (diagnosis)