Viral infection of infants and children with benign transient hyperphosphatasemia

In this study, we screened serum samples for transient hyperphosphatasemia (TH) using cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis over a period of 3 years. In the patients found to suffer from TH, we examined the relationship between the clinical condition and viral infection. The frequency of TH was 0.26%, and all of the cases detected were in infants or young children. The female to male ratio of TH was 1.29/1. While there was no clear seasonal fluctuation or periodicity in the appearance of TH, two peaks were recognized in spring and autumn. Research on the clinical manifestations clarified that most of the TH cases had infectious diseases of the upper airways accompanied by symptoms of fever and diarrhea. We examined antibody titers for viruses causing upper airway infectious diseases and identified antibodies for enteroviruses such as Echo 22, Entero 71, and Coxsackie B4. Our results suggested that TH might be caused by an infection of the enterovirus group.