Fetuin-A serum concentrations in healthy children
Marianne Wigger1, Jan Schaible, Jutta Muscheites
1Department of Pediatrics, University Children's Hospital Rostock, University of Rostock, Germany.
Annals of Clinical Biochemistry
|September 5, 2009
Summary
Serum fetuin-A levels are consistent across healthy children and adolescents, independent of age and gender. These findings establish crucial reference ranges for pediatric populations, aiding in cardiovascular risk assessment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Cardiovascular Biomarkers
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Serum fetuin-A is a recognized risk marker for myocardial infarction and stroke in adults.
- It is also linked to vascular calcifications in chronic kidney disease patients.
- Lack of age- and gender-specific reference values for fetuin-A in children and adolescents hinders clinical application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish age- and gender-related reference values for serum fetuin-A concentrations in a healthy pediatric population.
- To determine if serum fetuin-A levels vary with age or gender in children and adolescents.
Main Methods:
- Serum fetuin-A concentrations were measured in 246 healthy children and adolescents using an ELISA kit.
- Subjects were stratified into five age groups (<1, 1-5, 6-11, 12-15, and ≥16 years).
- Serum protein and albumin were also measured; gender distribution was equal across age cohorts.
Main Results:
- Serum fetuin-A concentrations were normally distributed within all age cohorts.
- Fetuin-A levels were found to be independent of both age and gender.
- The reference range (mean ± 1.96 SD) for serum fetuin-A was determined to be 0.22-0.70 g/L.
Conclusions:
- Serum fetuin-A concentrations are consistent and do not vary significantly with age or gender in healthy pediatric individuals.
- The established reference ranges are comparable to those found in adults using the same assay.
- These findings provide essential data for the clinical assessment of cardiovascular risk in pediatric patients.
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