Pediatric reference values for serum magnesium levels in Iranian subjects

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Clinical Chemistry

Background:

• Magnesium (Mg) is vital for numerous physiological functions.
• Mg deficiency is linked to insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease, and neurological disorders.
• Establishing pediatric-specific reference values for serum Mg is crucial for accurate diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine reference values for serum magnesium concentration in a pediatric population.
• To provide a basis for identifying hypo- and hypermagnesemia in children.
• To contribute to the understanding of Mg status in healthy youth.

Main Methods:

• Serum Mg levels were measured using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry.
• 306 healthy children and adolescents (ages 3-19) participated.
• Reference values were determined following International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC) guidelines and robust statistical methods.

Main Results:

• The 95% reference values for serum Mg were established as 0.76-1.0 mmol/L for boys, 0.75-1.0 mmol/L for girls, and 0.76-0.99 mmol/L for all subjects.
• Prevalence rates for hypomagnesemia and hypermagnesemia were found to be 5.9% and 5.6%, respectively.
• These values provide a benchmark for assessing Mg status in pediatric populations.

Conclusions:

• The study successfully established pediatric reference ranges for serum magnesium.
• These reference values are essential for the accurate detection of magnesium abnormalities in children.
• The findings support the clinical utility of serum Mg assessment in pediatric healthcare.