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Reference values for urinary HMMA, HVA, noradrenaline, adrenaline, and dopamine excretion in children using random
M Fitzgibbon1, R J FitzGerald, W P Tormey
1Department of Chemical Pathology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Insights
Pediatric urinary catecholamine levels, including hydroxymethoxymandelic acid and homovanillic acid, decrease with age. These findings establish age-specific reference ranges for key metabolites in children.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Chemistry
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Biochemical Analysis
Background:
- Catecholamines and their metabolites are crucial biomarkers in pediatric health.
- Understanding age-related changes in these compounds is essential for accurate diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish age-specific reference ranges for urinary catecholamine metabolites in children.
- To investigate the relationship between age and the concentration of these analytes.
Main Methods:
- Collected random urine samples from 305 children (birth to 14 years).
- Measured hydroxymethoxymandelic acid, homovanillic acid, noradrenaline, adrenaline, and dopamine using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.
- Normalized analyte concentrations to urinary creatinine levels.
Main Results:
- Analyte values, except adrenaline, showed a progressive decline with increasing age.
- Results for each age group were not normally distributed.
- Upper reference limits were determined including all values except outliers.
Conclusions:
- Age-dependent reference intervals for urinary catecholamine metabolites in children were established.
- These reference ranges are vital for interpreting results in pediatric clinical chemistry.
- The study highlights the importance of age-specific assessments for these biomarkers.
Abstract:
Random urine samples were collected from 305 children aged from birth to 14 years and the values of hydroxymethoxymandelic acid, homovanillic acid, noradrenaline, adrenaline, and dopamine were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. The results were reported relative to the urinary creatinine concentration and the values declined progressively with increasing age for each analyte with the exception of adrenaline. The results for each age group were not normally distributed and all values except outliers were retained in determining the upper reference limits.