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Plasma alpha fetoprotein reference ranges in infancy: effect of prematurity
Archives of Disease in Childhood
|April 1, 1987
Summary
Establishing reliable plasma alpha fetoprotein reference ranges for preterm infants is crucial for accurate diagnosis. This study developed a corrected age method to create meaningful reference ranges for ill preterm infants, improving diagnostic utility.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Clinical Chemistry
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Plasma alpha fetoprotein (AFP) reference ranges are lacking for preterm infants, hindering clinical interpretation.
- Accurate AFP levels are vital for diagnosing various infant conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish meaningful plasma AFP reference ranges for preterm infants.
- To validate a method for correcting patient age by gestational age deficit.
- To assess the diagnostic utility of AFP in preterm infants for conditions like biliary atresia, hepatitis, and tumors.
Main Methods:
- Collected blood samples (capillary and venous) from 56 preterm and term infants (birth to 5 months).
- Determined AFP levels using a modified radioimmunoassay kit.
- Applied logarithmic transformation and corrected age for deriving reference ranges.
Main Results:
- Standard statistical methods yielded wide intervals and non-Gaussian distributions for unmodified AFP values.
- A corrected age approach successfully generated acceptable AFP reference ranges.
- Provisional ranges were applied to interpret previously unclear AFP results.
Conclusions:
- A corrected age method provides meaningful plasma AFP reference ranges for preterm infants.
- This approach enhances the diagnostic potential of AFP testing in neonates.
- Validated AFP ranges can aid in the early detection of serious infant diseases.