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Concentrations of trace elements in sera of newborns, young infants, and adults
M Krachler1, E Rossipal, D Micetic-Turk
1Institute for Analytical Chemistry, Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz, Austria.
Insights
Trace element concentrations vary significantly across newborns, infants, and adults, impacting diagnostic reference ranges. This study analyzed 21 trace elements in 117 sera, revealing age-specific differences crucial for clinical interpretation.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Chemistry
- Trace Element Analysis
- Pediatric Medicine
Background:
- Serum trace element reference ranges differ across age groups, impacting diagnostics.
- Understanding these variations is vital for accurate clinical assessment.
- Age-specific elemental profiles are not well-established for all trace elements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine and compare trace element concentrations in newborns, infants, and adults.
- To establish age-specific reference ranges for 21 trace elements.
- To investigate the diagnostic value of age-related trace element variations.
Main Methods:
- Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used for trace element determination.
- Microwave-assisted acid digestion with high-purity reagents was employed.
- Analysis included 117 sera from newborns (umbilical cord), infants (breast-fed and formula-fed), and adults (patients and healthy donors).
Main Results:
- Umbilical cord sera showed elevated levels of essential (Ca, Co, Cu, Mg) and nonessential/toxic (Ba, Be, Li, Pb, Sb) elements compared to infants and adults.
- Infants had higher serum levels of Ba, Ca, Co, Mn, Pb, and Sb, and lower Cu than adults.
- Serum copper (Cu) concentration increased significantly with age (newborns < infants < adults).
Conclusions:
- Significant age-dependent differences exist in serum trace element concentrations.
- Established reference ranges for trace elements in newborns, infants, and adults are essential for accurate diagnosis.
- Copper levels show a clear age-related increase, highlighting its importance in pediatric health.
Abstract:
Concentrations of trace elements in newborns, infants, and adults may be significantly different from each other. Serum trace element reference ranges for different age groups are of value for diagnostic purposes. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry was applied to the determination of the 21 trace elements Ba, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cs, Cu, La, Li, Hg, Mg, Mn, Mo, Pb, Rb, Sb, Sn, Sr, TI, and Zn in a total of 117 sera of individuals representing different age groups. After microwave-assisted acid digestion with high-purity reagents, 20 umbilical cord sera, 5 sera of fully breast-fed infants, 6 sera of formula-fed infants, 66 sera of patients suffering internal diseases, and 20 sera of healthy blood donors were analyzed for trace elements. One serum and two whole-blood reference materials were analyzed for quality control. Experimental concentrations were in good agreement with certified values. Umbilical cord serum concentrations of the essential elements Ca, Co, Cu, and Mg and of the nonessential and toxic elements Ba, Be, Li, Pb, and Sb were elevated compared to the elemental concentrations in the sera of infants and adults. Serum levels of Ba, Ca, Co, Mn, Pb, and Sb of infants were much higher and serum Cu was significantly lower than in adults. Serum Cu increased significantly with age (newborns: 353 microg/L; infants: 755 microg/L; healthy adults: 810 microg/L), whereas for other trace elements no age-dependence could be established.