JCDR - Register at Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, ISSN - 0973 - 709X
Paediatrics Section DOI : 10.7860/JCDR/2019/41189.12858
Year : 2019 | Month : May | Volume : 13 | Issue : 05 Full Version Page : SC07 - SC10

Role of Serum Cystatin C Levels in Preterm Neonates with Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Diagnosing Neonatal AKI

Parvez Ahmed1, Mohd Ashraf2, Anisa Riyaz3

1 Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Government Medical College, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
2 Lecturer Paediatric Nephrology, Department of Paediatrics, Government Medical College, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
3 Senior Resident, Department of Paediatrics, Government Medical College, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India.


NAME, ADDRESS, E-MAIL ID OF THE CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: Dr. Mohd Ashraf, 30-MIG Colony, Masjid Rehmat, Bemina, Srinagar-90018, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
E-mail: aashraf05@gmail.com
Abstract

Introduction

Despite major advances in perinatal and neonatal care in Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) prevention and treatment, a considerable number of these neonates suffer from RDS along with Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), and concomitant occurrence of RDS and AKI in neonates is associated with poor outcome.

Aim

To determine Serum Cystatin C (sCysC) level and Serum Creatinine (sCr) level in preterm neonates with RDS, and to find correlation, if any, between the sCysC level and sCr level in diagnosing neonatal AKI in them.

Materials and Methods

After dividing the preterm neonates into three groups based on Gestational Age (GA): (24-27 weeks; five each in cases and controls; 28-33 weeks; 15 each in cases and controls; and 34-37 weeks; 20 each in cases and controls), two case-control analyses were conducted. In the first one, sCysC levels were compared between neonates with RDS and the control group. In the divond one, sCysC levels were compared between neonates having RDS and AKI (RDS-AKI subgroup), neonates having RDS but no AKI (RDS-no AKI subgroup), and the healthy control group. Student’s Independent t-test was used for statistical analyses.

Results

Out of 80 preterm neonates, 40 had RDS and 40 were healthy without RDS taken as controls. There were 10 neonates with AKI (RDS-AKI sub-group), and 30 neonates with RDS without AKI (RDS-no AKI sub-group). No significant differences in sCr levels were found among the RDS and control subgroups on day 3rd and day 30th of life (p=0.151 and 0.658). Serum Cystatin C levels in the RDS-AKI subgroup were significantly higher than in both the RDS-no AKI subgroup and the control group on day-3 (p<0.001). Statistically significant differences in birth weights were observed among the RDS-AKI, RDS-no AKI and control subgroups as depicted in (p=0.025).

Conclusion

sCysC is an independent predictor of AKI in preterm neonates with RDS.

Keywords

Introduction

Renal functions in neonates are unique as their GFR may vary depending on the degree of renal development at birth [1]. In preterm neonates’ renal development is still ongoing and renal function is accordingly immature and are potentially susceptible to injury during the early postnatal period [2]. These preterm neonates when hospitalised in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) are at high risk of developing the AKI, which in most cases is prerenal in origin [3,4]. The predominant risk factors for impaired renal function in neonates are: low gestational age, low birth weight, postnatal administration of vasopressors, indomethacin, antibiotics, postnatal illness and use of positive pressure ventilation [5].

One of the common risk factors remains the lung immaturity and subsequent development of RDS [6]. Among the risk factors, low-birth weight and prematurity stand the most important ones for the lung injury. One of the most frequent forms of lung injury in preterm neonates is RDS, which is a common cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality [7]. It is estimated that almost 50% of neonates with Birth Weight (BW) under 1,500 g are affected by RDS [8].

Despite major advances in perinatal and neonatal care in RDS prevention and treatment, a considerable number of these neonates suffer from RDS along with AKI. Concomitant occurrence of RDS and AKI in neonates is associated with poor outcome [9].

Although sCr is the most commonly used marker of the kidney function, but its levels are influenced by muscle mass, sex, age, diet and body composition, as well as its transplacental transport during the fetal life [10]. Due to its transplacental passage and dynamic GFR in preterm neonates’ alternatives like serum Cystatin C (sCysC), is presumed to be the better marker of kidney function in neonates. Cystatin C is a 13 -KDa protein, easily filterable and completely metabolised by proximal renal tubules implying an ideal marker for estimation of GFR [11].

In newborns, the sCysC levels are independent of sex, GA, length, muscle mass, bilirubin level, maternal health status [12]. It has been observed that sCysC levels in fetus do not bear any relationship to maternal sCysC levels, hence considered as good marker of GFR in neonates [13]. Moreover, sCr interpretation in preterm neonates makes it more difficult to achieve a consensus regarding renal damage. Keeping in view all these difficulties, in assessing the renal function in hospitalised preterm neonates with RDS, the new biomarkers like Cystatin C is expected to be of greater importance in these situations.

We therefore, undertook this study to compare Cystatin C and Creatinine as markers of GFR in preterm neonates with RDS.

Materials and Methods

The present study was a case-control study which was conducted from April 2016 to September 2017, at Post Graduate Department of Paediatrics, GB Pant Hospital, an associated hospital of Government Medical College, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India. Our study was approved by the Ethical Committee of Government Medical College Srinagar via communication No. 130/ETH/GMC/ICMR; dated 19-03-2016 and written consent forms were signed by the parents before participating in the study.

It Include preterms neonates (Gestational age <37 weeks) with RDS and healthy preterm neonates without RDS admitted in Neonatology unit of the Department of Pediatrics, GB Pant Hospital. GA was assessed by first trimester USG/Last Menstrual Period (LMP) and New Ballard Score System. Exclusion criteria was- Preterm neonate whose mothers were having renal failure, autoimmune disease, sepsis, chronic or pregnancy induced hypertension, or were on drugs that could have interfered with fetal renal function. In addition, following class of preterm neonates were kept off from the study group: Newborns with major kidney malformation, hepatic, heart or kidney failure, hemolytic disease, neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Based on available literature about the incidence of the neonatal AKI [14], we took a sample size of 80 neonates, with 40 cases and controls each.

Methods: Preterm neonates with RDS and healthy preterm neonates without respiratory distress syndrome underwent detailed background history and thorough clinical examination. The history included GA, sex, birth order, consanguinity, place of delivery, mode of delivery, perinatal history (asphyxia, meconium aspiration syndrome, resuscitation at birth, mechanical ventilation), obstetric history, family history which was followed by thorough clinical examination. Findings were recorded in predesigned proforma.

Neonates were classified based on GA: (24-27 weeks; 5 each in cases and controls; 28-33 weeks; 15 each in cases and controls; and 34-37 weeks; 20 each in cases and controls). The analysed variables were GA, weight, gender and administration of nephrotoxic drugs. Two case-control analyses were conducted. In the first one, sCysC levels were compared between neonates having RDS and the control group. In the second one, sCysC levels were compared between neonates having RDS and AKI (RDS-AKI subgroup), neonates having RDS but no AKI (RDS-no AKI subgroup), and the healthy control group. Urine output was collected and measured during an 8-h period by collecting into bags or through a urinary catheter.

Sampling and Laboratory Measurements: All study neonates underwent peripheral blood sampling for biochemical parameters such as Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), sCr, and sCysC on post-natal day 3 and 30. Serum Cr levels were monitored in all preterm neonates who had AKI. All biochemical parameters except sCysC were immediately analysed. For sCysC, serum was taken from the blood and separated by centrifugation at 4,000 rpm for 8 minutes and stored at -70°C. Storage and assays were performed as per the manufacturer’s protocol. sCysC levels were expressed in mg/l. Neonatal AKI diagnosis was based on neonatal RIFLE (nRIFLE) criteria, as per KDIGO 2012 [15] as is described in [Table/Fig-1]. Serum Cr levels were monitored in all preterm neonates who had AKI.

Neonatal AKI Staging-KDIGO 2012.

StageS. Creatinine (SCr)Urine output
0No change in SCr or rise <0.3 mg/dL≥0.5 mL/kg/h
1S Cr rise ≥0.3 mg/dL within 48 h or SCr rise ≥1.5-1.9×reference SCr within 7 d<0.5 mL/kg/h for 6-12
2SCr rise ≥2.0-2.9×reference SCr<0.5 mL/kg/h for ≥12h
3SCr rise ≥3×reference SCr or SCr ≥2.5 mg/dLb or Receipt of dialysis<0.3 mL/kg/h for ≥24h or anuria for ≥12h

Reference SCr defined as the lowest previous SCr value; SCr value of 2.5 mg/dL represents <10 mL/min/1.73 m2.


Diagnosis of RDS, was made using the following criteria: 1) PaO2 <50 mmHg in room air, central cyanosis in room air, a requirement for supplemental oxygen to keep pulse oximetry saturation >85%, or surfactant administration in the first 48 hours of life; and 2) a chest x-ray with a reticulogranular appearance to the lung fields with or without low lung volumes and air bronchograms within the first 24 hours of life [16].

Statistical Analysis

The data was analysed by using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences program (SPSS) for Windows version 16.0. Normal distribution was represented by mean and Standard Deviation (SD), whereas skewed distribution was expressed by median. For groups of more than two, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used. Categorical variables in proportions or percentages were analysed by Chi-square test or Fisher’s-exact test or student’s t-test. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Our study consisted of a total of 80 preterm neonates, among whom, males and females comprised of 46, and 34 respectively. Neonates were classified into three groups based on GA as shown in [Table/Fig-2].

Distribution of study population as per Post Menstrual Age (PMA).

PMA (Weeks)RDS groupControl groupp-value@
No.%ageNo.%age
24-27512.5512.51.000
28-331537.51537.5
34-372050.02050.0
Total4010040100

@p-value by Chi-square test


Out of 80 preterm neonates, 40 had RDS and 40 were healthy without RDS as the control group. Details of the results are shown in [Table/Fig-2,3,4,5,6 and 7]. Following are the noteworthy points summarised as under:

AKI in study population.

AKIRDS groupControl groupp-value@
No.%ageNo.%age
Present1025.000<0.001*
Absent3075.040100
Total4010040100

@p-value by Fisher’s-exact test


Urine output among studied patients on day 3rd of life.

GroupUrine output <0.5 mL/kg for 6-12 hours<0.5 mL/kg/h for ≥12 h<0.3 mL /kg/h for ≥24 h or anuria for ≥12 hp-value@
Control---0.015
RDS-no AKI---
RDS-AKI31-

p-value by Fisher’s-exact test


Comparison of creatinine day 3rd and day 30th among the studied neonates.

ParameterRDS-AKI GroupRDS-no AKI GroupControl Group
Mean sCr (mg/dL)SDMean sCr (mg/dL)SDMean sCr (mg/dL)SDp-value@
Day 3 Creatinine0.980.3741.120.450.940.3240.151
Day 30 Creatinine0.510.2230.560.3350.580.1640.658

@p-value by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)


Comparison of serum cystatin C levels on day 3rd and 30th among studies neonates.

ParameterRDS-AKI GroupRDS-no AKI GroupControl Group
Mean sCr (mg/L)SDMean sCr (mg/L)SDMean sCr (mg/L)SDp-value@
Day 3 Serum Cystatin C level1.430.2321.130.3161.250.1530.003
Day 30 Serum Cystatin C level1.410.2621.280.2411.220.2460.093

@p-value by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)


Comparison of birth weight among the studied population.

GroupMeanSDp-value@
Control2.410.2210.025*
RDS-no AKI1.610.193
RDS-AKI1.930.156

*Statistically significant difference (p-value<0.05); @p-value by Analysis of variance (ANOVA)


Neonates with RDS; with and without AKI, and controls

Out of 40 neonates with RDS, 10 fulfilled the criteria for AKI during the first seven day of life. Among whom, oliguria was present in four neonates and their Cr levels rose to 0.97 and 1.1 mg/dL on 3rd day of life. Six neonates developed AKI between day 3rd and day 7 of life [Table/Fig-3,4,5,6 and 7]. There was no oliguria in any neonates in the control group and neonates with RDS but no AKI.

Serum Creatinine (sCr) levels:

No significant differences in sCr levels were found among the RDS and control subgroups on day 3rd and day 30th of life as depicted in [Table/Fig-5].

Serum Cystatin C levels:

Serum Cystatin C levels in the RDS-AKI subgroup were significantly higher than in both the RDS-no AKI subgroup and the control group on day-3 (p<0.001) as shown in [Table/Fig-6].

Birth weight

Statistically significant differences in birth weights were observed among the RDS-AKI, RDS-no AKI and control subgroups as depicted in [Table/Fig-7].

Discussion

Depending on the severity of kidney injury and associated co-morbid conditions, neonatal AKI may vary from a minimal kidney insult to complete renal shutdown that requires renal replacement therapy. It has been reported from various studies that the incidence of neonatal AKI ranges from 8 to 24% among the NICU patients and almost one-third of whom are from preterm neonates [17-19].

Our study comprised of 80 preterm neonates, among whom 46 were males and 34 were females. Out of 80 preterm neonates, 40 were having RDS, and 40 were healthy neonates. In our study the mean birth weight was significantly lower in neonates with RDS-AKI sub group than the control group (p=0.025). Similar observations were made by Bansal SC et al., where in, out of 1745 NICU admissions, 74 (4.24%) were diagnosed having AKI, with a male: female ratio of 1.69:1 [20, 21]. In an another elegant study by Stojanović V, et al., where records of 195 patients were analysed, among whom 175 were having RDS. Neonatal AKI was observed in 85 (44%) neonates [22]. Neonates with AKI had significantly lower gestational age (27.6 vs. 30.3 weeks, p<0.001) and birth weight (1047 vs. 1469 g, p<0.001) in comparison to neonates without AKI, all these observations were quite similar to our results.

In our study population, sCysC levels among the RDS-AKI neonates were significantly higher than in RDS-no AKI and the control group on 3rd day of life (p=0.003) as shown in [Table/Fig-6], which is similar to study conducted by Armangil D et al., [23]. In a parallel situation results of our study are matching with the studies conducted by Cataldi L et al., Nova Ac et al., [3,24].

Preterm neonates are at increased risk of AKI because of ongoing and incomplete nephrogenesis and other co-morbid condition like RDS [23,24]. In our study, the incidence of AKI in preterm neonates with RDS was 25%, which is similar to earlier studies where it ranges between 25 to 66% [25].

From our results AKI in preterm neonates is characterised by high sCysC levels in the RDS-AKI group, which supports the hypothesis that sCysC level rises days earlier than sCr hence helpful in detecting AKI earlier than traditional biomarker sCr. This result is in congruency with the other studies [4,26].

Previous studies have demonstrated that reduced GFR leads to increased sCysC and sCr levels. However, sCysC levels are superior or comparable to sCr for detecting AKI in critically ill children and adults [27-29]. In addition to this, sCysC cannot cross the placenta and reflects the true level from the neonate, it could be considered as a reliable indicator of renal function in the first week of life [30]. By comparing sCysC levels in neonates having RDS with AKI and neonates with RDS without AKI, we found that preterm neonates with RDS and AKI had significantly increased levels of sCysC on day 3rd of life which is indicative of low GFR, which was not true for sCr levels in preterm neonates with RDS and AKI on day 3rd of life which is quite in congruent with the study done by [4,26,31]. By this we infer that sCysC is predictive of subsequent development of AKI in neonates with RDS.

Limitation

These include: a) sCr and sCysC levels were not measured every day for all patients, thus AKI could have been missed; b) Using neonatal AKI definition where oliguria is one of the defining criteria which in first 48 hours is a normal phenomenon, can overestimate the neonatal AKI; c) It is difficult to determine which neonates are truly healthy, although we tried to classify patients according to the clinical condition of the neonates.

Conclusion

Since neonatal serum creatinine reflects maternal creatinine, hence alternative real time kidney function biomarker like sCysC is considered superior. Because sCysC cannot cross the placenta and remains stable after day 3rd of life, it could be considered as a reliable indicator of renal function in neonates, particularly in the first week of life especially in neonates with RDS.

Reference SCr defined as the lowest previous SCr value; SCr value of 2.5 mg/dL represents <10 mL/min/1.73 m2.@p-value by Chi-square test@p-value by Fisher’s-exact testp-value by Fisher’s-exact test@p-value by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)@p-value by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)*Statistically significant difference (p-value<0.05); @p-value by Analysis of variance (ANOVA)

References

[1]Haycock GM, Development of glomerular filtration and tubular sodium reabsorption in the human fetus and newborn Br J Urol 1998 81:33-8.10.1046/j.1464-410X.1998.0810s2033.x9602793  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[2]Sutherland MR, Gubhaju L, Moore L, Kent AL, Dahlstrom JE, Horne RS, Accelerated maturation and abnormal morphology in the preterm neonatal kidney J Am Soc Nephrol 2011 22:365-74.10.1681/ASN.201012126621636639  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[3]Cataldi L, Leone R, Moretti U, Mitri DB, Fanos V, Ruggeri L, Potential risk factors for the development of acute renal failure in preterm newborn infants: a case-control study Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2005 90:F514-19.10.1136/adc.2004.06043416244211  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[4]Stapleton F, Jones D, Green R, Acute renal failure in neonates: Incidence, etiology and outcome Pediatr Nephrol 1987 1:314-20.10.1007/BF008492303153295  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[5]Walker MW, Clark RH, Spitzer AR, Elevation in plasma creatinine and renal failure in premature neonates without major anomalies: terminology, occurrence and factors associated with increased risk J Perinatol 2011 31:199-05.10.1038/jp.2010.8220651693  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[6]Askenazi DJ, Catherine Morgan, Goldstein SL, Selewski DT, Moxey-Mims MM, Kimmel PL, Strategies to improve the understanding of long-term renal consequences after neonatal acute kidney injury Pediatric Research 2016 79:502-08.10.1038/pr.2015.24126595535  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[7]Roberts D, Dalziel S, Antenatal corticosteroids for accelerating fetal lung maturation for women at risk of preterm birth Cochrane Database of Syst Rev 2006 3:CD00445410.1002/14651858.CD004454.pub2  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]

[8]Lemons JA, Bauer CR, Oh W, Korones SB, Papile LA, Stoll BJ, Very low birth weight outcomes of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network, January 1995 through December 1996. NICHD neonatal research network Pediatrics 2001 107:E110.1542/peds.107.1.e111134465  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[9]Askenazi DJ, Griffin R, McGwin G, Carlo W, Ambalavanan N, Acute kidney injury is independently associated with mortality in very low birth weight infants: a matched case-control analysis Pediatr Nephrol 2009 24:991-97.10.1007/s00467-009-1133-x19238451  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[10]Anderson KJ, Schmidt C, Nordin G, Anderson B, Ehle NP, Lindstrom V, Serum Cystatin C, determined by a rapid, automated particle-enhanced turbidimetric method, is a better marker than serum Creatinine for glomerular filtration rate Clin Chem 1994 40:1921-26.  [Google Scholar]

[11]Chew JSC, Saleem M, Christopher MF, Peter MG, Cystatin C-A paradigm evidence based laboratory medicine Clin Biochem Rev 2008 29:47-62.  [Google Scholar]

[12]Kilpatrick ES, Keevil BG, Addison GM, Does adjustment of GFR to extracellular fluid volume improve the clinical utility of cystatin C? Arch Dis Child 2000 82:499-02.10.1136/adc.82.6.49910833189  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[13]Cataldi L, Mussap M, Bertelli L, Ruzzante N, Fanos V, Plebani M, Cystatin C in healthy women at term pregnancy and in their infant newborns: relationship between maternal and neonatal serum levels and reference values Am J Perinatol 1999 16:287-9515.10.1055/s-2007-99387410586982  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[14]Stojanović V, Barišić N, Milanović B, Doronjski A, Acute kidney injury in preterm infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit Pediatr Nephrol 2014 29(11):2213-20.10.1007/s00467-014-2837-024839217  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[15]Kellum JA, Norbert Lameire, for the KDIGO AKI Guideline Work Group Diagnosis, evaluation, and management of acute kidney injury: a KDIGO summary (Part 1) Critical Care 2013 17:20410.1186/cc1145423394211  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[16]Vermont Oxford Network, Manual of Operations: Part 2, Release 19.0. Burlington, VT: Vermont Oxford Network; 2014 [06/20/2016]. http://publicvtoxford.org//wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Manual_of_ Operation_Part2_v19.pdf  [Google Scholar]

[17]Blinder JJ, Goldstein SL, Lee VV, Baycroft A, Fraser CD, Nelson D, Congenital heart surgery in infants: effects of acute kidney injury on outcomes J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2012 143:368-64.10.1016/j.jtcvs.2011.06.02121798562  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[18]Hentschel R, Lodige B, Bulla M, Renal insufficiency in the neonatal period Clin Nephrol 1996 46:54-58.  [Google Scholar]

[19]Agras PI, Tarcan A, Baskin E, Cengiz N, Gurakan B, Saatci U, Acute renal failure in the neonatal period Renal Fail 2004 26:305-09.10.1081/JDI-20002674915354981  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[20]Abdelaal NA, Shalaby SA, Khashana AK, Abdelwahab AM, Serum cystatin C as an earlier predictor of acute kidney injury than serum creatinine in preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome Saudi J Kidney Dis Transpl 2017 28:1003-14.10.4103/1319-2442.21514828937056  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[21]Bansal SC, Nimbalkar AS, Kungwani AR, Patel DV, Sethi AR, Nimbalkar SM, Clinical profile and outcome of newborns with acute kidney injury in a level 3 neonatal unit in western India J Clin Diagn Res 2017 11:SC01-04.  [Google Scholar]

[22]Stojanović V, Barišić N, Radovanović T, Bjelica M, Milanović B, Doronjski A, Acute kidney injury in premature newborns-definition, etiology, and outcome Pediatr Nephrol 2017 10.1007/s00467-017-3690-828555296  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[23]Armangil D, Yurdakök M, Canpolat FE, Korkmaz A, Yigğit S, Tekinalp G, Determination of reference values for plasma cystatin C and comparison with creatinine in premature infants Pediatr Nephrol 2008 23:2081-83.10.1007/s00467-008-0867-118536938  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[24]Novo AC, Sadeck LD, Okay TS, Leone CR, Longitudinal study of Cystatin C in healthy term newborns Clinics (Sao Paulo) 2011 66:217-20.10.1590/S1807-5932201100020000621484036  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[25]Li Y, Fu C, Zhou X, Xiao Z, Zhu X, Jin M, Urine interleukin-18 and cystatin-C as biomarkers of acute kidney injury in critically ill neonates Pediatr Nephrol 2012 27:851-60.10.1007/s00467-011-2072-x22228436  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[26]Roos JF, Doust J, Tett SE, Kirkpatrick CM, Diagnostic accuracy of cystatin C compared to serum creatinine for the estimation of renal dysfunction in adults and children-a meta-analysis Clin Biochem 2007 40:383-91.10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2006.10.02617316593  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[27]Bagshaw SM, Bellomo R, Cystatin C in acute kidney injury Curr Opin Crit Care 2010 16:533-39.10.1097/MCC.0b013e32833e841220736828  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[28]Herrero JD, Málaga S, Fernández N, Rey C, Diéguez MA, Solís G, Cystatin C and beta2- microglobulin: markers of glomerular filtration in critically ill children Crit Care 2007 11:R5910.1186/cc592317519026  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[29]Krawczeski CD, Vandevoorde RG, Kathman T, Bennett MR, Woo JG, Wang Y, Serum cystatin C is an early predictive biomarker of acute kidney injury after pediatric cardiopulmonary bypass Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2010 5:1552-57.10.2215/CJN.0204031020538834  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]

[30]Hahn WH, Song JH, Oh MH, Cystatin C as a Renal Function Marker for Neonates Neonatal Med 2013 20:378-86.10.5385/nm.2013.20.3.378  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]

[31]Elmas AT, Tabel Y, Elmas ON, Serum cystatin C predicts acute kidney injury in preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome Pediatr Nephrol 2013 28:477-84.10.1007/s00467-012-2331-523070277  [Google Scholar]  [CrossRef]  [PubMed]