Urine Microalbumin Test
Microalbumin Test Kits
Microalbuminuria testing detects small amounts of albumin in urine, serving as an early indicator of kidney damage in pediatric populations. This sensitive marker is crucial for monitoring diabetic nephropathy and other renal conditions.
Key Points:
- Detection range: 20-200 mg/L albumin
- Essential for early detection of diabetic nephropathy
- Recommended annual screening in pediatric diabetes
- Higher sensitivity than standard urine protein tests
- Critical for monitoring kidney function in chronic conditions
Primary Indications
- Diabetic Nephropathy Screening:
- Type 1 Diabetes: Annual testing after 5 years of diagnosis
- Type 2 Diabetes: Annual testing from diagnosis
- Other Clinical Scenarios:
- Hypertension monitoring
- Obesity-related kidney damage
- Genetic kidney disorders
- Post-infectious glomerulonephritis
- Nephrotoxic medication monitoring
Risk Assessment
- Predictive value for:
- Progressive kidney disease
- Cardiovascular complications
- End-organ damage
Collection Methods
- Specimen Requirements:
- First morning urine preferred
- 24-hour collection for confirmation
- Random spot samples acceptable for screening
- Minimum volume: 10mL
- Testing Approaches:
- Immunoturbidimetric assay
- Immunonephelometry
- Radioimmunoassay
- Point-of-care testing options
Quality Control Measures
- Temperature control: 2-8°C
- Sample stability: 24 hours at room temperature
- Calibration requirements
- External quality assurance participation
Reference Ranges
- Normal: <30 mg/24h or <20 μg/min
- Microalbuminuria: 30-300 mg/24h or 20-200 μg/min
- Clinical albuminuria: >300 mg/24h or >200 μg/min
Result Analysis
- Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio (ACR):
- Normal: <30 mg/g creatinine
- Microalbuminuria: 30-300 mg/g creatinine
- Clinical albuminuria: >300 mg/g creatinine
- Age-specific considerations:
- Adolescent variations
- Pubertal status impact
- Gender differences
Follow-up Protocols
- Screening Frequency:
- Annual for stable patients
- Every 3-6 months if abnormal
- More frequent during acute illness
- Intervention Thresholds:
- Persistent microalbuminuria (2-3 positive tests)
- Rapid progression patterns
- Associated risk factors
Management Considerations
- Therapeutic Interventions:
- ACE inhibitors/ARBs consideration
- Blood pressure optimization
- Glycemic control in diabetes
- Dietary protein modification
- Preventive Measures:
- Lifestyle modifications
- Risk factor management
- Regular monitoring schedule
