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Reference Intervals of Hematology and Clinical Chemistry Analytes for 1-Year-Old Korean Children
Hye Ryun Lee1,2, Sue Shin3,4,5, Jong Hyun Yoon3,4,6
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sheikh Khalifa Specialty Hospital, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.
Insights
Reference intervals for healthy 1-year-olds were established for hematology and chemistry. Formula-fed infants showed higher iron status markers compared to breastfed infants, highlighting feeding method impacts on iron levels.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Clinical Chemistry
- Hematology
Background:
- Establishing age-specific reference intervals is crucial for accurate health assessments.
- Previous research indicates the need for pediatric reference ranges, particularly for 1-year-olds.
- Infant feeding practices can significantly influence nutritional status, including iron levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish reference intervals for hematology and clinical chemistry analytes in healthy 1-year-old children.
- To analyze the impact of infant feeding methods (breast milk vs. formula) on iron status markers in this age group.
Main Methods:
- 887 children underwent medical check-ups; 534 healthy children were selected as reference individuals.
- Hematology and clinical chemistry analytes were measured, with reference values determined using parametric and nonparametric methods.
- Iron, total iron-binding capacity, and ferritin were measured; transferrin saturation was calculated to assess iron status.
Main Results:
- Reference intervals were established for 1-year-olds, with no significant differences observed between sexes.
- Children fed formula exclusively or mainly exhibited higher serum iron, ferritin, and transferrin saturation levels.
- These findings suggest a differential impact of feeding methods on iron metabolism during infancy.
Conclusions:
- Established reference intervals for hematology and clinical chemistry provide a valuable tool for evaluating 1-year-old children.
- The study highlights the importance of considering feeding methods when interpreting iron status in infants.
- These reference intervals aid in the interpretation of medical check-up results for one-year-olds.
Background:
Reference intervals need to be established according to age. We established reference intervals of hematology and chemistry from community-based healthy 1-yr-old children and analyzed their iron status according to the feeding methods during the first six months after birth.
Methods:
A total of 887 children who received a medical check-up between 2010 and 2014 at Boramae Hospital (Seoul, Korea) were enrolled. A total of 534 children (247 boys and 287 girls) were enrolled as reference individuals after the exclusion of data obtained from children with suspected iron deficiency. Hematology and clinical chemistry analytes were measured, and the reference value of each analyte was estimated by using parametric (mean±2 SD) or nonparametric methods (2.5-97.5th percentile). Iron, total iron-binding capacity, and ferritin were measured, and transferrin saturation was calculated.
Results:
As there were no differences in the mean values between boys and girls, we established the reference intervals for 1-yr-old children regardless of sex. The analysis of serum iron status according to feeding methods during the first six months revealed higher iron, ferritin, and transferrin saturation levels in children exclusively or mainly fed formula than in children exclusively or mainly fed breast milk.
Conclusions:
We established reference intervals of hematology and clinical chemistry analytes from community-based healthy children at one year of age. These reference intervals will be useful for interpreting results of medical check-ups at one year of age.
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