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Plasma pancreatic and salivary-type amylase and immunoreactive trypsin concentrations: variations with age and
Insights
Pediatric pancreatic and salivary amylase levels increase with age, reaching adult levels by eight years. Age-matching is crucial for interpreting amylase and trypsin levels in children.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatric Endocrinology
Background:
- Circulating amylase levels in infants are low and increase with age.
- Pancreatic and salivary amylase have distinct developmental trajectories in children.
- Plasma trypsin levels in children are lower than in adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish reference ranges for pancreatic and salivary amylase and immunoreactive trypsin in children.
- To investigate the correlation between age and these biomarkers in pediatric populations.
- To highlight the importance of age-matching in pediatric biomarker studies.
Main Methods:
- Differential alpha-amylase assay applied to 166 control children aged 0.1 to 13 years.
- Measurement of circulating pancreatic and salivary-type amylase levels.
- Assessment of plasma immunoreactive trypsin levels.
Main Results:
- Both pancreatic and salivary amylase levels were low in the first four months of life.
- Pancreatic amylase gradually increased with age, reaching adult levels by eight years.
- Salivary amylase showed a sharp rise between 0.9-1.9 years, peaking by 5-6 years.
- Significant correlation found between age and amylase levels, but not with trypsin levels.
- Plasma trypsin levels in children were lower than adult values.
Conclusions:
- Age-dependent reference ranges for pancreatic and salivary amylase in children are established.
- Age-independent reference ranges for plasma immunoreactive trypsin in children are suggested.
- Age-matching is critical for accurate interpretation of pancreatic amylase and plasma trypsin in pediatric studies.
Abstract:
The differential alpha-amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) assay was applied to 166 control children in the age range 0.1--13 years. Circulating levels of both pancreatic and salivary-type amylase were very low (mean 20 U/l) in the first four months of life. Pancreatic levels increased gradually with age, reaching adult levels (mean 74 U/l) by the age of eight years. Salivary amylase levels showed a sharp rise in the 0.9--1.9 year period reaching maximum levels (mean 99 U/l) by age 5--6 years. While linear regression analysis showed significant correlation between age of subject and pancreatic and salivary amylase levels, no such correlation was evident between age and plasma immunoreactive trypsin levels over the age range studied. Plasma trypsin levels in children were lower than reported adult values. Reference ranges for pancreatic and salivary-type amylase and immunoreactive trypsin in children are presented. The importance of age-matching, when pancreatic amylase and plasma trypsin are being investigated in children, is emphasised.