Determination of serum alkaline phosphatase reference in healthy children aged 1-18 years

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Endocrinology
• Clinical Biochemistry
• Child Health

Background:

• Childhood growth and development significantly influence biochemical markers.
• Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is a key biochemical variable routinely analyzed in clinical laboratories.
• Establishing accurate reference intervals for pediatric ALP is crucial for clinical interpretation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the reference interval for alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in healthy children and adolescents.
• To provide a basis for the diagnosis and monitoring of liver and bone-related disorders in pediatric populations.
• To evaluate the influence of age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) on pediatric ALP levels.

Main Methods:

• A population-based study involving 873 healthy children and adolescents aged 1-18 years.
• Blood samples were collected after overnight fasting to measure ALP levels using an automatic biochemical analyzer.
• Participants were stratified into age groups: 1-4, 5-8, 9-13, and 14-18 years.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in ALP levels were observed across different age and sex categories.
• No significant variation in ALP levels was found between BMI categories.
• Specific reference ranges for ALP were established for each age group, with notable variations observed.

Conclusions:

• The study successfully established age-specific reference intervals for ALP in healthy pediatric populations.
• These reference intervals serve as a vital tool for the accurate diagnosis and management of pediatric liver and bone conditions.
• The findings underscore the importance of age-adjusted reference ranges for biochemical markers in childhood.