URINARY BIOMARKER PROFILING AS A TOOL FOR PREDICTING RENAL DISEASE PROGRESSION IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS: FOCUS ON NEUTROPHIL GELATINASE-ASSOCIATED LIPOCALIN AND KIDNEY INJURY MOLECULE-1

Abstract

This thesis examines the clinical utility of urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and kidney injury molecule-1 as early tubular injury biomarkers in pediatric patients at risk for chronic kidney disease progression. A prospective observational design was employed to assess biomarker levels across pediatric patient cohorts stratified by glomerular filtration rate and proteinuria severity. Elevated neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and kidney injury molecule-1 concentrations were significantly associated with accelerated glomerular filtration rate decline over a 24-month follow-up period. These findings support the incorporation of tubular biomarker panels into pediatric chronic kidney disease monitoring protocols as independent prognostic tools.