Transient benign hyperphophatasemia.

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Clinical Chemistry
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Transient benign hyperphosphatasemia is an often-unrecognized condition characterized by temporary elevations in alkaline phosphatase levels.
• This elevation occurs in healthy infants and toddlers without underlying liver or bone disease, and is not typically covered in medical textbooks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To increase awareness of transient benign hyperphosphatasemia among healthcare professionals.
• To provide a comprehensive overview of the condition based on existing literature.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature review was conducted.
• The review adhered to the UK Economic and Social Research Council guidance for narrative synthesis and the PRISMA statement.

Main Results:

• Analysis included 142 reports detailing 813 cases, with a male to female ratio of 1.1:1.0.
• In approximately 70% of cases, the alkaline phosphatase ratio was ≥5.0, and in 80%, the elevation lasted ≤4 months.
• The prevalence in infants aged 2-24 months ranged from 1.1% to 3.5%, and the condition sometimes followed benign infections, though a causal link was not established.

Conclusions:

• Transient benign hyperphosphatasemia is likely the most frequent cause of elevated alkaline phosphatase in healthy infants and toddlers.
• The condition can also affect older children and adults, suggesting the traditional name may be inaccurate.
• Recognizing this benign condition is vital to prevent unnecessary diagnostic procedures and patient anxiety.