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[alpha-Amylase standard values in children]
Insights
This study determined normal serum alpha-amylase levels in healthy children aged 3 days to 16 years. Proposed normal ranges for children aged 1-16 years are 20-110 U/L at 25°C and 40-200 U/L at 37°C.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatric Medicine
- Clinical Chemistry
Context:
- Establishing reference ranges for serum alpha-amylase is crucial for pediatric diagnostics.
- Previous data on pediatric alpha-amylase levels, especially in infants, is limited.
- Variability in enzyme activity measurements necessitates clear reference value determination.
Purpose:
- To determine normal serum alpha-amylase concentrations in a cohort of healthy children.
- To establish age- and temperature-specific reference ranges for serum alpha-amylase.
- To investigate the influence of age and sex on serum alpha-amylase levels in children.
Summary:
- Serum alpha-amylase was measured in 216 healthy children (3 days to 16 years) using p-nitrophenyl-alpha, D-maltoheptaosid substrate.
- Infants (3-353 days) exhibited lower alpha-amylase concentrations (up to 30 U/L at 25°C, 60 U/L at 37°C), though statistical significance was limited by sample size.
- For children aged 1-16 years (n=186), proposed normal ranges are 20-110 U/L at 25°C and 40-200 U/L at 37°C, independent of sex or age.
Impact:
- Provides essential reference values for pediatric serum alpha-amylase, aiding clinical diagnosis.
- Highlights age-related differences in enzyme activity during early childhood.
- Establishes reliable normal ranges for children, improving the accuracy of diagnostic interpretations.
Abstract:
In a group of 216 healthy children (age: 3 days-16 years) normal values of alpha-amylase in serum were found out (substrate: p-nitrophenyl-alpha, D-maltoheptaosid). Infants (age: 3-353 days) mostly showed lower catalytic concentrations than older children: alpha-amylase (25 degrees C) up to 30 U/L; alpha-amylase 37 degrees C): up to 60 U/L. But, the collective was too small (n = 30) to give any statistical statement, on the other hand biological and analytical deviations of catalytic concentrations were big. In children (n = 186; age: 1-16 years) the values were not dependent on sex or age. As normal range we propose for children aged 1-16 years alpha-amylase (25 degrees C): 20-110 U/L; alpha-amylase (37 degrees C): 40-200 U/L.