[A multicenter study of reference intervals for 15 laboratory parameters in Chinese children]

Area of Science:

• Clinical Biochemistry
• Pediatric Laboratory Medicine
• Reference Interval Establishment

Background:

• Accurate laboratory reference intervals are vital for diagnosing diseases in children.
• Existing reference intervals may not be applicable to the diverse Chinese pediatric population.
• Need for comprehensive, age- and sex-stratified data for 15 key clinical laboratory parameters.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish comprehensive, age- and sex-specific laboratory reference intervals for Chinese children.
• To provide reliable benchmarks for interpreting clinical laboratory results in pediatric populations.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional, multicenter study involving 1,648 healthy children aged 6 months to 17 years.
• Physical examination, questionnaire, and abdominal ultrasound used for eligibility assessment.
• Analysis of 15 clinical laboratory parameters including hormones, liver enzymes, renal function markers, immunoglobulins, and complements.

Main Results:

• Established age- and sex-specific reference intervals for 15 clinical laboratory parameters.
• Observed age-related increases in sex hormones and significant changes in ALT, cystatin C, ALP, and CK in younger children.
• Noted rapid adolescent increases in sex hormones, creatinine, immunoglobulins, CK, and urea, with distinct sex differences.

Conclusions:

• Successfully established age- and sex-specific reference intervals for 15 clinical laboratory parameters in a cohort of healthy Chinese children.
• Highlights the variability of reference intervals based on age, sex, and assay methodologies.
• Provides essential data for accurate clinical laboratory interpretation in Chinese pediatric healthcare.