Lactate dehydrogenase as a predictor of kidney involvement in patients with sickle cell anemia

A retrospective chart review of 40 patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA) between the ages of 5-19 years who were seen within a 1-year period was performed to determine clinical and laboratory correlates for microalbuminuria and proteinuria. Age, sex, height, body mass index (BMI), serum creatinine [and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) by Schwartz and MDRD formulas], type of SCA, hemoglobin (Hb) level [total Hb and hemoglobin F percentage (HbF%)], lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level, reticulocyte count, blood pressure, history of splenectomy, history of hydroxyurea use, and history of transfusions were correlated with microalbuminuria and proteinuria by univariate and multivariate regression analysis. The prevalence of microalbuminuria and proteinuria among these patients was 15 and 5%, respectively. Univariate analyses revealed a significant correlation between LDH level and microalbuminuria (Pearson r=0.47, p=0.04) and between LDH level and proteinuria (Pearson r=0.48, p=0.035). Multivariate analysis revealed a significant correlation between microalbuminuria and LDH level (p=0.04) when controlled for age, sex, eGFR, Hb level, HbF%, type of SCA, BMI, history of transfusions, and reticulocyte count. In this pediatric SCA population, LDH was found to correlate with the presence of microalbuminuria and proteinuria. Further studies are needed to confirm LDH as an early marker for the risk of kidney involvement among SCA patients.