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Plasma endothelin levels in healthy children: high values in early infancy
M Yoshibayashi1, K Nishioka, K Nakao
1Department of Pediatrics, Kyoto University School of Medicine, Japan.
Insights
This study establishes normal plasma endothelin-1-like immunoreactivity (ET-1-LI) levels in children. Levels are higher in infants under 3 months, stabilizing thereafter, with no sex differences observed.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Biomarker Research
Background:
- Endothelin-1-like immunoreactivity (ET-1-LI) plays a role in cardiovascular regulation.
- Establishing normal ranges for pediatric biomarkers is crucial for clinical assessment.
- Previous data on ET-1-LI in healthy children is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the normal range of plasma ET-1-LI levels in healthy children across various age groups.
- To compare pediatric ET-1-LI levels with those of healthy adults.
- To investigate potential differences in ET-1-LI levels based on age and sex in children.
Main Methods:
- Plasma ET-1-LI levels were measured using immunoreactivity assays.
- A cohort of 70 healthy children (5 days to 15 years) and 11 healthy adults were studied.
- Data were analyzed to establish age-specific normal ranges and compare groups.
Main Results:
- Plasma ET-1-LI levels were significantly higher in children younger than 3 months compared to older children and adults (p < 0.01).
- After 3 months of age, ET-1-LI levels remained relatively constant across all pediatric age groups and adults.
- No significant differences in plasma ET-1-LI levels were found between males and females in any age group.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first established normal reference range for plasma ET-1-LI in children.
- Elevated ET-1-LI in early infancy may indicate developmental differences in endothelin system activity.
- The findings suggest that plasma ET-1-LI levels stabilize after 3 months of age in healthy children.
Abstract:
We measured plasma endothelin-1-like immunoreactivity (ET-1-LI) levels in the peripheral vein of 70 healthy children (37 males and 33 females) aged 5 days to 15 years to establish the normal range in children, and compared them with those in 11 normal adults (age, mean +/- SD; 29.5 +/- 5.7 years, 6 males and 5 females). Plasma ET-1-LI levels (pg/ml, mean +/- SD) in children of each age group and adults were as follows: children younger than 1 month = 23.4 +/- 3.9 (n = 10), 1-3 months = 25.0 +/- 6.1 (n = 8), 3-6 months = 17.0 +/- 1.4 (n = 8), 6 months to 1 year = 14.0 +/- 1.7 (n = 13), 1-5 years = 13.8 +/- 2.6 (n = 11), 5-10 years = 13.6 +/- 1.6 (n = 10), 10-15 years = 12.9 +/- 2.2 (n = 10), and adults = 13.2 +/- 2.4 (n = 11). There was no significant difference in plasma ET-1-LI levels between males and females in each age group. Plasma ET-1-LI levels in children younger than 3 months were significantly (p less than 0.01) higher than those in older children or adults. After 3 months of age, plasma ET-1-LI levels were nearly constant at all ages. This is the first report to establish the normal range of plasma ET-1-LI levels in children.