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Measurement of Factor V Activity in Human Plasma Using a Microplate Coagulation Assay
Published on: September 9, 2012
Age-related reference values for activation markers of the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems in children
1Klinik mit Poliklinik für Kinder und Jugendliche, Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany.
Insights
This study established reference ranges for key hemostasis activation markers in healthy children. Findings reveal age-related differences, crucial for interpreting coagulation and fibrinolysis in pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Hematology
- Hemostasis and Thrombosis Research
- Clinical Biochemistry
Background:
- Pediatric hemostasis differs from adult physiology, yet risks for bleeding or clotting are not elevated in children.
- Biochemical advancements allow sensitive measurement of coagulation and fibrinolysis activation markers in vivo.
- Previous studies measured these markers in children with disorders, but lacked age-specific reference ranges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish reference ranges for thrombin-antithrombin III-complex (TAT), prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F1 + 2), plasmin-alpha 2-antiplasmin-complex (PAP), and D-dimer in healthy children.
- To investigate potential age-related differences in these hemostatic activation markers within the pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving healthy children across various age groups.
- Measurement of specific activation markers: TAT, F1 + 2, PAP, and D-dimer using sensitive immunochemical methods.
- Statistical analysis to determine reference ranges and identify age-dependent variations.
Main Results:
- Reference ranges for TAT, F1 + 2, PAP, and D-dimer were documented for healthy children.
- Significant age-related differences were observed for these markers, indicating developmental changes in hemostasis.
- Established ranges provide a baseline for comparison in pediatric clinical settings.
Conclusions:
- Age-specific reference ranges for key hemostatic activation markers in children have been successfully established.
- These findings highlight the dynamic nature of coagulation and fibrinolysis throughout childhood.
- The documented ranges are essential for accurate clinical interpretation and management of hemostatic disorders in pediatric patients.
Abstract:
The physiology of the hemostatic system in infancy and childhood is different from that in adulthood. Despite differences in several components of the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems, there is no evidence that children are at greater risk for hemorrhagic or thrombotic problems compared with adults (1,2). Advances in understanding of the biochemistry of the hemostatic mechanism have led to the development of sensitive immunochemical methods for measuring peptides or enzyme-inhibitor complexes that are liberated with the activation of the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems in vivo (3). Activation markers of coagulation and fibrinolysis have been measured in newborns, infants and children with a variety of underlying disorders (4-16). However, reference ranges for children of different age groups have hitherto not been established. The aim of the present study was to document thrombin-antithrombin III-complex (TAT), prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F1 + 2), plasmin-alpha 2-antiplasmin-complex (PAP) and D-dimer in healthy children and to determine whether age-related differences can be demonstrated.
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