Role of Neutrophil Gelatinase–Associated Lipocalin in Early Acute Kidney Injury Detection and Hemodialysis Prediction

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a perilous condition often leading to high morbidity and mortality, particularly in critically ill patients. Early detection of AKI is essential to prevent progression to more advanced stages requiring kidney replacement therapy (KRT). Traditional biomarkers like serum creatinine fail to detect early AKI, emphasizing studying more sensitive markers such as neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL). This study aims to evaluate the role of plasma NGAL in the early detection of AKI, assess its correlation with the requirement for hemodialysis, and compare its sensitivity and specificity with serum creatinine. Methods: This is a cross-sectional diagnostic study conducted on patients admitted in intensive medical care unit (IMCU). Plasma NGAL levels were measured using ELISA method within 8 hours of admission. Serum creatinine levels were moni tored over 2 days. Patients were staged according to AKIN criteria, and the need for hemodialysis was assessed. Results: Among the 85 patients involved, NGAL levels demonstrated significant association with AKI severity and need for hemodialysis. Neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin levels correlated with both creatinine on day 0, day 1, and day 2 (all 3 days P < .01). A cut-off value of 0.95 ng/mL for NGAL was identified as optimal for predicting the need for KRT, with 100% sensitivity and 79.7% specificity. Conclusion: Plasma NGAL alone performs better than creatinine values and shows strong predictive ability. Cite this article as: Maiti J, George Mathew G, Vinodhini V, Ghosh T, Suyampirrakasam I, Jayaprakash V. Role of neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin in early acute kidney injury detection and hemodialysis prediction. Turk J Nephrol. 2026;35(1):25-31.