Urinary Epidermal Growth Factor Excretion: A Useful Prognostic Marker for Progression of Renal Damage in Children

In this study, we determined urinary Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) concentrations in children with Glomerulonephritis with normal kidney functions, Acute Renal Failure (ARF) and Chronic Renal Failure (CRF). We investigated 32 children, 18 males and 14 females, of 9.3±2.3 years (mean±standard deviation), who were followed in the Nephrologic Unit of the Pediatric Department of the Al-Azhar University. Results were compared to 16 healthy controls age and sex matched. Children with ARF (group Ib) and CRF (group Ic) had significantly lower urinary EGF concentrations as well as urinary EGF/creatinine ratio (EGF/Cr). In contrast, children with nephritis (group Ia) with normal renal function had normal urinary EGF levels and urinary EGF/Cr. There were significant positive correlation between urinary EGF, EGF/Cr and both Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) and creatinine clearance, also There was a significant negative correlation between EGF/Cr, serum creatinine in patients with acute and chronic renal failures.