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Serum complement profiles in infants and children
Insights
Pediatric complement component levels (C3, C4, C5, CH50) vary significantly with age but not sex or race. Establishing these normal pediatric values is crucial for diagnosing childhood diseases.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Complement system proteins (C3, C4, C5) and total hemolytic complement (CH50) activity are critical immune components.
- Establishing age-specific normal ranges for these components in children is essential for accurate diagnosis and monitoring of diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine normal serum values for complement components C3, C4, C5, and CH50 activity in healthy children aged 0-14 years.
- To identify age-related variations and establish reference ranges for pediatric complement levels.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples were collected from 163 healthy infants and children (birth to 14 years).
- Levels of complement components C3, C4, C5, and CH50 activity were measured.
- Statistical analyses were performed to assess relationships with age, sex, and race.
Main Results:
- Statistically significant relationships were observed between age and C3, C4, and C5 levels, but not CH50.
- No significant differences in complement levels were found based on sex or race.
- Tolerance limits for high and low values were projected for 75%, 90%, and 95% of the population.
Conclusions:
- Complement component levels in children differ from adults and exhibit significant biological variability.
- Normal pediatric reference ranges for C3, C4, C5, and CH50 are necessary for clinical laboratories assessing childhood diseases.
- These findings highlight the importance of age-specific reference values in pediatric immunology.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to examine normal serum values for the complement components, C3, C4, and C5, and total hemolytic complement (CH50) activity in 163 healthy infants and children, in the age range from birth through 14 years. There were statistically significant relationships of C3, C4, and C5, but not CH50 with age. None of the complement components or CH50 could be differentiated by sex or race. Tolerance limits for high and low values were projected for each complement measurement for 75%, 90%, and 95% of the general population. Our data confirm the differences in complement levels between children and adults and demonstrate a wide range of values within each group, reflecting the biologic variability of complement measurements. These results emphasize the importance of establishing normal pediatric values in any laboratory that measures complement profiles in various diseases of childhood.