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Updated: Aug 13, 2026
Metabolic Glycoengineering of Sialic Acid Using N-acyl-modified Mannosamines
Published on: November 25, 2017
[Value of serum sialic acid determination in children]
A Seider1, N Graf, F C Sitzmann
1Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, Universität des Saarlandes, Homburg/Saar, Bundesrepublik Deutschland.
Insights
Sialic acid (SA) levels are elevated in children with inflammatory diseases and malignant disorders. SA may be a useful tumor marker for monitoring patients with cancer.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatric Oncology
- Clinical Chemistry
Context:
- Sialic acid (SA) is a key component of glycoproteins and glycolipids.
- Tumor markers are crucial for cancer diagnosis and monitoring.
- Pediatric serum samples were analyzed to assess SA concentrations.
Purpose:
- To investigate the potential of sialic acid (SA) as a tumor marker in children.
- To compare SA levels in healthy children, those with inflammatory diseases, and those with malignant disorders.
Summary:
- Sialic acid (SA) concentrations were measured in 48 healthy children and 168 sick children.
- Healthy children under six months had lower SA levels (41 +/- 5 mg/dl) than older children (68 +/- 8 mg/dl).
- Elevated SA levels were observed in children with inflammatory diseases (93 +/- 28 mg/dl) and malignant disorders (83 +/- 27 mg/dl), though not exceeding inflammatory levels.
Impact:
- Sialic acid (SA) shows potential as a biomarker in pediatric oncology.
- SA may aid in the follow-up protocols for children diagnosed with malignant tumors.
- Further research is warranted to establish SA's role in clinical practice.
Abstract:
In order to find out whether sialic acid (SA) is suitable as a tumor marker this compound was determined in the sera of 48 healthy and of 168 sick children. In healthy children under six months of age lower concentrations of SA were found (x = 41 +/- 5 mg/dl) than in subjects aged six months to 18 years (x = 68 +/- 8 mg/dl). Inflammatory diseases of various etiologies lead to a significant increase in both age groups (x = 93 +/- 28 mg/dl), the same could be observed in subjects up to 14 days after surgery. In children with malignant disorders the concentration of SA was significantly higher (x = 83 +/- 27 mg/dl) than in the healthy subjects, but not higher than in patients with inflammatory diseases. We conclude that SA might play a role in the follow up protocol of patients with malignant tumors.
