ObjectiveTo investigate the diagnostic value of serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) for early acute kidney injury (AKI) after tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) surgery. MethodsWe retropectively analyzed the clinical data of 113 patients underwent TOF surgery in our hospital bewteen April 2012 and April 2014. There were 67 males and 46 females at the average age of 8.28±4.75 months ranging from 5 months to 18 months. According to the different clinical manifestation of AKI, those patients were devided into a group A, group B, and group C. In the group A, there were 78 patients with 43 males and 35 females at the mean age of 8.18±3.72 months. In the group B, there were 20 patients with 12 males and 8 females at the mean age of 8.25±1.27 months. In the group C, there were 15 patients with 12 males and 3 females at the mean age of 8.09±2.92 months. We collected the blood in different time before and after the operation. At the same time, we carried on one-way analysis of variance to detect the differences among the three groups. ResultsThere was no statistical difference in the level of serum NGAL among the 3 groups before operation. Compared to pre-operation, there was no statistical difference in the level of serum NGAL among the different time of the group A (P>0.05). There was oliguria and potassium increased in the group B. After strengthening cardiac and lightening heart load, urine volume recovered. There was a transient rise in serum NGAL and the summit is 199.90±49.44 ng/ml at the 8th hour. Compared with that before operation, there was a statistical difference. After 12 hours, the serum NGAL decreased to the normal level. The serum NGAL levle of Group C had constantly increased and there was a statistical difference compared with that before the surgery. After the treatment of peritoneal dialysis, the serum NGAL returned to the normal level. The area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of serum NGAL in the group C was 0.881 (95%CI:0.73-1.00, P<0.05). ConclusionThe detection of serum NGAL level can be valuable for early diagnosis and treatment for AKI after TOF surgery.