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This study established normal plasma alpha-amylase ranges for children, finding activity increases in infancy and reaching mature levels by nine months. These findings are crucial for pediatric diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatrics
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Plasma alpha-amylase is a key enzyme in carbohydrate metabolism.
- Establishing age-specific reference ranges is vital for accurate pediatric diagnosis.
- Previous data on infant plasma alpha-amylase activity is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the normal pediatric range of plasma alpha-amylase activity.
- To characterize the developmental changes in plasma alpha-amylase during infancy.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Phadebas blue starch method for plasma alpha-amylase assay.
- Collected plasma samples from a cohort of pediatric subjects across different age groups.
Main Results:
- Established a normal range of 98-405 IU/l for children over one year of age.
- Observed a significant increase in plasma amylase activity throughout infancy.
- Noted that mature amylase activity levels were achieved in most children by nine months of age.
Conclusions:
- Defined normative plasma alpha-amylase values for pediatric populations.
- Highlighted the dynamic changes in amylase activity during early childhood development.
- Provided essential reference data for the clinical interpretation of amylase levels in infants and children.
Abstract:
A normal paediatric range of plasma alpha-amylase activity was determined using the Phadebas blue starch method. The range for children over one year was 98--405 IU/l. Plasma amylase activity increased throughout infancy. Mature levels of activity were observed in some children by age 2 months and in most of them by 9 months.