Correlation between body surface area of newborns of different gestational ages with urine total proteins and urine microalbumin

Abstract

Objective: To establish correlation between body surface area of newborns at different gestational ages and urine total proteins and urine microalbumin.Methods: Cross sectional study was conducted at tertiary hospital in India. We randomly selected 175 normal newborns of different gestational ages. Systemic random spot second urine samples of normal newborns were selected (urine which baby had passed for first time after birth was not used for sampling. Samples were used to estimate urinary proteins (total) (mg/dl), and urine albumin (mg/dl). Results: Proteinuria is common in newborns at all gestational ages. Tubular proteins are major constituent of urine proteins in neonatal urine, but small amount of albumin is also lost in urine and their amounts increase linearly and proportionately as body surface area of newborn increases. This is clear reflection of renal immaturity in newborns. Conclusion: All newborns have abnormally high proteinuria at all gestational ages, which increase with increase in gestational age. Urine microalbumin also showed very mild increase with age but it was very insignificant in comparison to UTP.