[Urinary enzyme excretion in childhood uropathy].

INTRODUCTION

Renal tissue, and tubules are rich in enzymes but enzyme measurement in the urine as diagnostic parameters in renal diseases have not yet been generally accepted as routine procedures.

AIMS

To study urinary enzyme excretion in childhood obstructive uropathy and compares the diagnostic efficiency of them.

METHODS

Excretion of the enzymes alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyltransferase (gamma-GT), N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) and leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) has been investigated in urine of 34 children suffering from obstructive uropathy and in 31 healthy controls by photometric kinetic analysis using synthetic substrates.

RESULTS

Urinary excretion of both enzymes significantly increase--2-10 times higher than normal controls--indicates tubular damage. In this study the following relations were found in specificity and in sensitivity: ALP < LAP < gamma-GT < NAG.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated urinary enzyme excretion may be helpful in identifying upper tract obstruction, which if left untreated may cause progressive renal deterioration. It has a role in helping to determine the surgical correction or can be safely followed without fear of parenchymal damage.