Prediction of Renal Cortical Involvement Using Serum and Urinary Inflammatory Markers in Children with Febrile Urinary Tract Infection

Background: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), serumC-reactive protein (CRP), urinary beta 2 microglobulin, antibody-coated bacteria in the urine sediment, and urinary lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) are more traditional tests used to diagnose true pyelonephritis. Acute-phase dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scan is a sensitive method for diagnosis of true pyelonephritis. Objectives: Defining predictive values of traditional inflammatory serologicparameters, urine analysis indexes, kidney ultrasonography and fever in children with febrile urinary tract infection for predicting renal cortical involvement. Patients and Methods: In a prospective study, 20 children admitted due to febrile urinary tract infection were assessed for renal cortical involvement by Technetium-99 m-labeled dimercapto succinic acid (TC99-DMSA) scan. Body temperature >= 39C, white blood cell count >= 15000 cell/mu L, positive C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (first hour) >= 30 mm/h, presence of proteinuria, severe pyuria or bacteriuria on urine analysis, urine specific gravity <= 1010, and renal ultrasonography were used for predicting renal cortical involvement. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of these variables were measured by specific formula. Results: The highest measured sensitivity was 100% (erythrocyte sedimentation rate >= 30 mm/h). Urine specific gravity < 1010 and bacteriuria had the highest (75%) and lowest (20%) specificities respectively. The highest and lowest positive predictive values were 85.7% (urine specific gravity < 1010) and 57% (proteinuria), whereas the highest and lowest negative predictive values were related to erythrocyte sedimentation rate > 30mm/h(100%) and proteinuria (11%) respectively. Normal sonography had a low sensitivity for predicting absence of renal involvement (23%). Conclusions: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate >= 30 mm/h is a sensitive marker with high negative predictive value for predicting renal involvement in febrile urinary tract infection.