Abstract:OBJECTIVE: To study the change and significance of the urinary uric acid (UA)/creatinine ratio (Cr) in neonatal asphyxia and postasphyxial renal injuries. METHODS: The uric acid /creatinine ratio, the activity of Nacety β D amino glucosidase (NAG) and the level of β 2 microglobulin (β 2 MG) in urine were detected in 38 term neonates with asphyxia (13 cases of mild asphyxia and 25 cases of severe asphyxia) and 15 healthy newborns (controls). RESULTS: Compared with the controls [( 0.56 ± 0.20 ), ( 2.73 ± 2.50 ) U/L, ( 0.10 ± 0.01 ) mg/L], the UA/Cr ratio, and NAG and β 2 MG levels obviously increased in the mild asphyxia group [( 1.19 ± 0.53 ), ( 10.34 ± 8.72 ) U/L, ( 2.80 ± 1.95 ) mg/L](P< 0.01 ). In the severe asphyxia group, the above parameters [( 2.60 ± 1.23 ), ( 26.53 ± 10.54 ) U/L, ( 5.05 ± 2.19 ) mg/L] significantly increased compared with the mild asphyxia group and controls (P< 0.01 ). A significantly negative correlation was found in the asphyxia group between the UA/Cr ratio and the Apgar score (r= -0.63 , P< 0.01 ); while the obviously positive correlation was found between the UA/Cr ratio and NAG activity or β 2 MG level (r= 0.62 or 0.89 , both P< 0.01 ). CONCLUSIONS: Infants with asphyxia have a higher urinary UA/Cr ratio. It might be used as an indicator for early assessment of the severity of asphyxia and postasphyxial renal injuries in neonates.
