Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus
Published on: March 6, 2019
Transient hyperphosphatasemia in an infant with bronchiolitis and pneumonia
Slavica Dodig1, J Demirovic, Z Jelcic
1Srebrnjak Children's Hospital, Srebrnjak 100, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia. slavica.dodig@zg.t-com.hr
Insights
Benign transient hyperphosphatasemia, a temporary increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALP), was observed in an infant with severe respiratory infection. ALP levels and atypical isoenzymes normalized within weeks, indicating a transient condition.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Acute lower respiratory tract infections are common in infants.
- Elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) can indicate various medical conditions.
Observation:
- A 4-month-old infant with acute bronchiolitis and pneumonia presented with markedly elevated ALP levels.
- Initial investigations suggested bacterial etiology for the respiratory illness.
- Electrophoresis revealed atypical ALP isoenzymes, including fast anodal and near-cathodal fractions.
Findings:
- ALP levels reached over 5000 U/L and normalized within 54 days.
- Post-normalization electrophoresis showed normal liver, placental, intestinal, and bone isoenzymes.
- The transient nature of the elevated ALP and atypical isoenzymes was confirmed.
Implications:
- This case highlights benign transient hyperphosphatasemia as a possible diagnosis in infants with severe respiratory infections.
- Understanding these transient ALP changes is crucial for accurate diagnosis and avoiding unnecessary interventions.
- Further research may elucidate the specific mechanisms linking respiratory infections to transient ALP alterations.
Abstract:
We present a case of benign transient hyperphosphatasemia in a 4-month-old infant with acute bronchiolitis and pneumonia. During hospitalization the infant had an increased catalytic activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP): day 2, 5074 U/L; day 3, 5622-U/L; and day 8, 3129 U/L. The x-ray, leukocytosis, and C-reactive protein findings pointed to bacterial etiology of the respiratory disorder. Electrophoretic separation revealed an atypical isoenzyme profile: fast anodal, near-cathodal and bone fractions. ALP levels normalized within 54 days, and control electrophoresis indicated normal liver, placental/placental-like, intestinal and bone isoenzymes. The appearance of atypical fast anodal and near-cathodal fractions of ALP in this infant during the course of acute lower respiratory tract infection and rapid return to the reference intervals pointed to benign transient hyperphosphatasemia.
Related Concept Videos
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption
Acute Respiratory Failure-III
Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology
Pneumonia V: Nursing management and Prevention
The nurse must practice strict medical asepsis and adhere to infection control guidelines to minimize healthcare-associated infections.
Enhance airway patency
Position the patient correctly to facilitate drainage of the affected lung segments. Manual or mechanical percussion and vibration can also be employed.
Pneumonia I: Introduction
Pneumonia I: Introduction
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...
