Plasma total adiponectin levels in pediatrics: reference intervals calculated as a continuous variable of age

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Clinical Biochemistry
• Biomarker Discovery

Background:

• Plasma total Adiponectin (tAN) is an emerging biomarker with potential applications in pediatrics.
• Accurate interpretation of tAN levels requires age-specific reference intervals.
• Existing reference values for tAN in children are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish age-related reference intervals for plasma total Adiponectin (tAN) in a pediatric population.
• To provide a reliable tool for interpreting tAN levels in children and adolescents.
• To investigate the relationship between tAN, age, sex, and obesity in pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

• Quantification of tAN using ELISA in over 4000 pediatric samples.
• Analysis of tAN data from a Laboratory Information System.
• Calculation of reference intervals stratified by age and sex.
• Statistical analysis to determine age-dependent equations for tAN reference values.

Main Results:

• Age-specific reference intervals for tAN were successfully calculated for the pediatric population.
• Observed differences in tAN levels between males and females.
• No correlation between age and tAN in obese children, but significant correlations in the overall cohort and healthy controls.
• Defined parameters for continuous age-based tAN reference value equations.

Conclusions:

• Continuous, age-adjusted tAN reference intervals are proposed as a valuable laboratory tool for the pediatric population.
• This approach is particularly useful for biomarkers like tAN that exhibit significant changes from birth through adolescence.
• Implementation of these age-dependent intervals will enhance the clinical utility of tAN in pediatric care.