Prediction of renal cortical defect and scar using neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in children with febrile urinary tract infection

Abstract

Aim: This study is aimed to evaluate the predictive value of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for cortical defect on initial and follow-up Tc-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) scan in children with the first febrile urinary tract infection (UTI).

Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 179 children with the first febrile UTI who underwent DMSA scan and laboratory tests. In patients with abnormal DMSA scan findings, follow-up DMSA scan was performed at least 6 months after the initial scan. All DMSA scans were classified as negative and positive cortical defects. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the risk factors for cortical defect on initial and follow-up DMSA scan.

Results: Cortical defects on initial DMSA scan were noted in 133 patients. Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), white blood cell count, absolute neutrophil count, NLR, and serum C-reactive protein level were independent predictive factors for positive cortical defect on initial DMSA scan (p < 0.050). On follow-up DMSA scan, 24 of the 133 patients showed persistent cortical defects, and only VUR was significantly associated with persistent cortical defect (p = 0.002). In 84 patients who showed cortical defect on initial scan and absence of VUR, only NLR was significantly associated with persistent cortical defect on follow-up scan (p = 0.025).

Conclusion: NLR was significantly associated with persistent cortical defect on follow-up DMSA scan in patients without VUR, as well as positive cortical defect on initial scan.

Keywords: Tc-99m DMSA scan; neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio; renal scar; urinary tract infection.