Plasma total adiponectin levels in pediatrics: reference intervals calculated as a continuous variable of age

Abstract

Objective: Plasma total Adiponectin (tAN) is a novel biomarker with interesting potentialities in pediatrics. Age-related intervals are needed for the correct interpretation of results. In this study, we calculated the reference values for tAN using a large number of results derived from pediatric patients.

Design and methods: tAN was determined by ELISA in more than 4000 samples and the results collected in the Laboratory Information System were used for the calculation of reference intervals.

Results: tAN reference values for the different age intervals were obtained and age related tAN reference intervals were calculated. Some differences were observed in males and females. In obese children, no correlation between age and tAN could be observed. On the contrary, significant relations were observed in the total group of patients and in healthy control subjects. For this reason, the parameters of the equations to calculate tAN reference values using age as a continuous variable were defined.

Conclusion: The use of continuous tAN reference intervals, calculated on age, should be considered a useful laboratory tool, at least in the pediatric population, for those biomarkers whose reference values have been shown to change from birth to the late adolescence.