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2026, Number 1

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Rev Mex Pediatr 2026; 93 (1)

Utility of the STARZ scale for predicting acute kidney injury in newborns admitted in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

García-Martínez D, Escobedo-Berumen L, Romo-Vázquez JC, Gerardo-del Hoyo MN, Lezama-Armenta A

Language: Spanish
References: 17
Page: 13-19
PDF size: 838.23 Kb.


ABSTRACT

Introduction: acute kidney injury (AKI) in newborns is a frequent complication in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Early identification is key to optimizing clinical management. Objective: to evaluate the usefulness of the STARZ score for predicting AKI in neonates hospitalized in a NICU. Material and methods: a retrospective study was conducted. The STARZ score was applied to all patients, and its diagnostic performance was compared against confirmed cases of AKI according to the KDIGO criteria adapted for neonates, considered the gold standard. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and area under the ROC curve were calculated. Results: 456 neonates were included, of whom 32 (7%) developed AKI. The STARZ score showed a sensitivity of 96.9%, specificity of 78.3%, PPV of 25.2%, and NPV of 99.7%. The area under the curve was 0.977. Conclusions: the STARZ score demonstrated high diagnostic performance for predicting AKI in neonates. Its application in the NICU could facilitate early detection of AKI, optimize renal monitoring, and improve clinical decision-making.


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