[Biochemical measures in the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS)]

In the framework of the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS) a variety of biochemical parameters was determined in order to provide objective information on health status and particular health risks, in addition to parent interview data and anthropometric measurements. Overall 43 parameters covered three areas of particular public health interest: micronutrient deficiency, seroepidemiology of infectious diseases and immunization status, and risk indicators or risk factors for chronic non-communicable diseases. A review of available evidence regarding valid reference or cutoff values as well as the standardization of laboratory methods led to the categorization of these parameters into five classification categories. Here, we discuss the present first descriptive results on selected parameters representing the various categories. In order to determine the public health impact of measurement results, and perhaps even derive normative reference data relevant to health care, more detailed analyses will be required. In the first step, these will focus on cross-sectional analyses of the association between biochemical parameters and other health-related anthropometric and sociodemographic variables. Intermediate and long-term objectives will include the construction of multidimensional reference values taking into account several laborato ry data and other clinical information at the same time, and the prognostic validation of reference or cut-off values based on a follow- up of the study participants for clinical outcomes.