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Measurements of Motor Function and Other Clinical Outcome Parameters in Ambulant Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Published on: January 12, 2019
[Changes of serum creatine kinase levels in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy]
Shun-Chang Sun1, Yun-Sheng Peng, Jing-Bo He
1Department of Clinical Laboratory, People's Hospital of Bao'an District of Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518101, China. shunchangsun@sohu.com
Insights
Serum creatine kinase (CK) levels peak in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) between ages 3-5. CK levels then decline with age, potentially indicating muscle degeneration in DMD patients.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatrics
- Genetics
Context:
- Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a severe genetic disorder affecting young children.
- Serum creatine kinase (CK) is a biomarker whose activity fluctuates with disease progression and age in DMD patients.
Purpose:
- To investigate the age-related patterns of serum creatine kinase (CK) activity in children diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).
Summary:
- Serum CK levels were analyzed in 40 DMD patients aged 3-14 years.
- A significant elevation in serum CK was observed compared to reference values.
- Peak CK activity occurred in 3-5 year olds, followed by an average annual decline of 8.7%.
Impact:
- Findings reveal a characteristic pattern of serum CK changes in pediatric DMD.
- This pattern may serve as an indicator of muscle tissue breakdown rate in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Objective:
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) usually occurs prior to 3 years old. The value of serum creatine kinase changes with clinical progression and age in patients with DMD. This study aimed to investigate the regularity in the changes of serum creatine kinase activities in children with DMD.
Methods:
Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 40 children with DMD (ranged from 3-14 years). Serum creatine kinase levels were assayed by kinetic UV test.
Results:
Serum creatine kinase level in the 40 DMD patients (ranged from 2 595- 45 495 U/L) was remarkably higher than the reference value (35-174 U/L). The highest serum creatine kinase level (average: 27750-31173 U/L) was found in 3-5 years old patients. Afterwards, serum creatine kinase level decreased with clinical progression and age, with a yearly average rate of decline was 8.7%.
Conclusions:
Serum creatine kinase level reaches a peak between 3 and 5 years old and then reduces with increasing age in children with DMD. The characteristic changes of serum creatine kinase are suspected to reflect the rate of muscle decay.
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