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Reference ranges for serum β-trace protein in neonates and children younger than 1 year of age

Alexandra J M Zwiers, Karlien Cransberg, Yolanda B de Rijke

    Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine
    |June 19, 2014
    PubMed

    Insights

    This study establishes β-trace protein (BTP) reference ranges for infants, showing levels are highest at birth and decrease with age. BTP may be a useful marker for kidney function in newborns.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatric Nephrology
    • Biomarker Discovery
    • Clinical Chemistry

    Background:

    • Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) assessment in infants is crucial for diagnosing kidney disease.
    • β-trace protein (BTP) is a potential endogenous marker for GFR, but reference ranges in young children are lacking.
    • Establishing BTP reference ranges in infants is essential for its clinical application.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To determine the reference range of serum β-trace protein (BTP) in healthy children under one year of age.
    • To investigate the developmental changes in BTP concentrations during the first year of life.
    • To evaluate BTP as a potential alternative marker for GFR estimation in neonates and infants.

    Main Methods:

    • Serum samples were collected from 95 healthy children aged less than 12 months.
    • Serum BTP was measured using a latex assay on a nephelometer.
    • Serum creatinine and cystatin C were measured to confirm normal renal function.

    Main Results:

    • The 50th centile BTP reference concentration for children under one year was 0.82 mg/L (5th-95th centiles: 0.27-1.38 mg/L).
    • BTP concentrations were highest in neonates and showed a steady decline with increasing age (Spearman's correlation: -0.415, p=0.002).
    • No significant gender differences in BTP levels were observed.

    Conclusions:

    • This study provides the first reference range for serum BTP in infants up to one year of age.
    • The observed postnatal decline in BTP is limited, suggesting its potential as a reliable GFR marker in newborns.
    • BTP may offer a valuable alternative to current creatinine-based GFR estimation methods in the pediatric population.
    Abstract

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