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Reference intervals for serum granulocyte colony-stimulating factor levels in children
A Ishiguro1, K Inoue, T Nakahata
1Department of Pediatrics, Mizonokuchi Hospital, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan.
Insights
Serum granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) levels in children are age-dependent, decreasing significantly after the neonatal period. G-CSF levels correlate with neutrophil counts, establishing new reference intervals for pediatric care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Hematology
- Clinical Chemistry
- Immunology
Background:
- Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) plays a crucial role in neutrophil production.
- Establishing age-specific reference intervals for serum G-CSF is essential for accurate pediatric health assessment.
- G-CSF levels exhibit significant variability in early childhood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine age-adjusted reference intervals for serum G-CSF levels in children.
- To investigate the relationship between serum G-CSF and neutrophil counts in pediatric populations.
- To establish baseline G-CSF values for disease-free children from neonates to 15 years of age.
Main Methods:
- Serum G-CSF levels were measured in 168 healthy children (term neonates to 15 years) using a sensitive chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay.
- Age-specific G-CSF levels were analyzed, with particular attention to neonatal and early childhood periods.
- Correlation analysis was performed between G-CSF levels and blood leukocyte and neutrophil counts.
Main Results:
- Serum G-CSF levels were highest at birth (147 ± 146 ng/L), decreasing significantly in the neonatal period (46 ± 33 ng/L) and thereafter.
- G-CSF levels in neonates were significantly higher than in older children.
- A 95% reference interval of 5 to 42 ng/L was established for children over 4 weeks of age.
- G-CSF values showed a significant positive correlation with leukocyte (r=0.496) and neutrophil counts (r=0.547).
Conclusions:
- Serum G-CSF levels in children are age-dependent and correlate with neutrophil counts.
- The study provides age-adjusted reference intervals for G-CSF in children older than 4 weeks.
- Further research is needed to establish precise reference intervals for the neonatal period.
Objective:
To determine age-adjusted reference intervals for children for serum granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) levels.
Design:
We determined the serum G-CSF levels of 168 disease-free children who were term neonates to 15 years of age with a highly sensitive chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay.
Results:
The lowest values (5 ng/L) exceeded the detectable limit (1 ng/L) of this assay technique. The G-CSF levels were highest on the day of birth (mean +/- SD 147 +/- 146 ng/L); thereafter values decreased to 46 +/- 33 ng/L in the early neonatal period and to 23 +/- 10 ng/L in the late neonatal period. The G-CSF levels both on the day of birth and in the early neonatal period were significantly higher than in all older age groups. No significant differences were found among any of the age groups after 4 weeks of age. The G-CSF values were correlated with both blood leukocyte counts (r = 0.496, p < 0.0001) and neutrophil counts (r = 0.547, p < 0.0001). In children older than 4 weeks of age (n = 128), the 95% reference interval for G-CSF values was 5 to 42 ng/L.
Conclusions:
Our study in disease-free children revealed that change in serum G-CSF levels are age dependent and are correlated with neutrophil counts. Determination of reference intervals for the neonatal period requires further study.