EVALUATING PROTEINURIA IN CHILDREN

Proteinuria is a common laboratory finding in children. It can be iden tified as either a transient or a persistent finding and can represent a benign condition or a serious disease. A rapid but qualitative asse ssment of proteinuria can be made using dipstick or sulfosalicylic aci d methods. More precise quantitation is, obtained by measuring protein excretion in 24-hour urine samples or by calculating the protein/crea tinine ratio in random urine samples. Orthostatic proteinuria is a ben ign condition characterized by the presence of protein in urine sample s collected in the upright position during the day and its absence in samples collected in the supine position. Persistent proteinuria and p roteinuria associated with hematuria or other signs of renal disease c arry a more severe prognosis. The latter conditions require referral t o a pediatric nephrologist for further evaluation, which may include r enal biopsy.