Which parameter is recommended to monitor to assess kidney involvement after ethylene glycol poisoning?

• A. Blood glucose
• B. Liver enzymes
• C. Renal function
• D. Electrolyte balance

Answer: (C)

Ethylene glycol poisoning injures the kidneys, often causing acute kidney injury due to metabolites that damage renal tubules. To gauge how much the kidneys are affected, focus on renal function. Serial measurements of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen reflect glomerular filtration and kidney clearance, while monitoring urine output provides a real-time view of kidney performance. A rise in creatinine or BUN, or a decrease in urine output, signals worsening renal involvement and helps guide treatment decisions, including antidotal therapy, fluids, and possibly dialysis. Blood glucose doesn’t indicate kidney injury, liver enzymes would point to hepatic effects, and electrolyte balance, though important and can be disrupted with kidney injury, does not directly quantify renal involvement.