Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin as an early predictor of delayed graft function.

Introduction: Delayed graft function occurs in about 20 to 50 percent of kidney transplants. 

Objective: To describe the behavior of urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGALu) in deceased-donor renal transplant recipients and to compare this indicator with the percentage of creatinine decrease (PdC) for the early detection of delayed graft function. 

Materials And Methods: NGALu levels were evaluated in a prospective cohort in the first, 12th, 24th and 48th hours after kidney transplant, and compared with the daily PdC until day 5.