Urinary glycopeptides and glycosaminoglycans in children and adults as affected by age

The glycopeptide and glycosaminoglycan excretion was studied in the urine of normal human subjects from newborns to 68 years of age. The glycopeptide and glycosaminoglycan preparations were made by digesting the urine with peoteolytic enzymes followed by removal of enzyme and undigested protein and finally freeze-drying of the supernatant. The contents of hexose, sialic acid and uronic acid were determined on these preparations. Because of the striking differences in body weight all values were expressed in terms of milligrams per 24 hours per kilogram of body weight. When corrected for body weight, all of the carbohydrate levels were significantly higher in infants and young children under 5 years of age than in older children and adults. No other significant changes with age were found after the age of 7 years. There were no significant differences between the sexes at any age.