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Establishment of reference ranges for prolactin in neonates, infants, children and adolescents
G Wiedemann1, L Jonetz-Mentzel
1Klinisch-Chemisches Labor der Klinik und Poliklinik für Kindermedizin, Medizinischen Hochschule, Erfurt, Germany.
Insights
This study establishes reference ranges for serum prolactin in healthy individuals aged 5 days to 18 years. Significant differences between males and females emerge after age 12.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Clinical Chemistry
- Immunoassays
Background:
- Establishing accurate reference ranges for serum prolactin is crucial for diagnosing endocrine disorders in pediatric populations.
- Existing prolactin reference ranges may not adequately cover the diverse age groups from neonates to adolescents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine age- and sex-specific reference ranges for serum prolactin in healthy neonates, infants, children, and adolescents.
- To identify significant differences in prolactin levels between males and females across different age strata.
Main Methods:
- Serum prolactin levels were measured in 686 healthy subjects (5 days to 18 years) using the Abbott IMx microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA).
- Subjects were stratified into 9 age groups, further divided by sex.
- The 95% scatter range, 50th, 2.5th, and 97.5th percentiles were calculated, with minimal and maximal values reported.
Main Results:
- Serum prolactin levels exhibited non-Gaussian distributions in most reference groups.
- Significant differences in prolactin levels between males and females were observed from age 12 years onwards.
- The Mann & Whitney U-test was employed to identify significant differences between age groups, leading to the combination of non-distinct groups for refined range calculation.
Conclusions:
- This study provides comprehensive, age- and sex-specific reference ranges for serum prolactin in a pediatric cohort.
- The findings highlight the importance of age- and sex-stratified reference values for accurate clinical interpretation of prolactin levels in children and adolescents.
Abstract:
Prolactin was determined in the sera of 686 healthy neonates, infants, children and adolescents (age range 5 days to 18 years), using the IMx from Abbott Laboratories. The applied test was a microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA). The proband collective was divided into 9 age groups, and each age group into males and females. In accordance with the recommendations of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry, the 95% scatter range was taken as the reference range. Only a few reference groups showed a normal Gaussian distribution. In addition to the 50th percentile, the 2.5th and 97.5th percentile were calculated for all reference groups, and the minimal and maximal values were also reported. From the age of 12 years onwards, significant differences were found between males and females. The U-test of Mann & Whitney was used to test for significant differences between individual reference groups. Groups showing no significant differences were combined, and the corresponding reference ranges for serum prolactin were then calculated.