Urinary organic acids quantitated by age groups in a healthy pediatric population

Area of Science:

• Clinical Chemistry
• Pediatric Metabolomics
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Establishing reference ranges for urinary organic acids is crucial for pediatric health.
• Understanding age-related variations in metabolic profiles is essential for accurate diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify and compare organic acid excretion in healthy pediatric populations across different age groups.
• To establish a baseline for urinary organic acid profiles in children.
• To identify age-dependent changes in organic acid metabolism.

Main Methods:

• Urine samples from 92 healthy children (0-12 years) and adults were analyzed.
• Organic acids were extracted using anion-exchange chromatography.
• Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was employed for identification and quantification after derivatization.

Main Results:

• Organic acid content was measured and tabulated for five pediatric age groups.
• Significant differences in the excretion of several organic acids were observed between age groups, adjusted for urinary creatinine.
• Individual variations within age groups were noted, alongside potential influencing factors like age, maturity, and diet.

Conclusions:

• Urinary organic acid profiles exhibit significant age-related variations in healthy children.
• These established reference ranges can serve as a foundation for identifying metabolic abnormalities in pediatric patients.
• Further research may elucidate the specific roles of physiological maturity and diet in these observed differences.