Reference values for serum total adiponectin in healthy non-obese children and adolescents

• We measured serum adiponectin in healthy, non-obese Danish schoolchildren.
• A total of 1193 (730 girls, 463 boys) aged 6–18 years (median 11.9) were included.
• Adiponectin was found to be age correlated in girls, boys, and both sexes combined.
• No difference between sexes was demonstrated.
• This data may potentially help in metabolic risk stratification of children.

BackgroundAdiponectin is an abundant adipocyte-secreted hormone that modulates a number of metabolic processes and is correlated to various metabolic disorders. Pediatric reference levels are needed for the risk stratification and interpretation of individual serum adiponectin levels.MethodsA total of 1193 healthy, non-obese Danish schoolchildren (730 girls, 463 boys) aged 6–18 years (median 11.9) were examined by trained medical staff. Total serum adiponectin concentrations in venous fasting blood samples were quantitated by a DuoSet® ELISA human Adiponectin/Acrp30 (R&D Systems) following optimization.ResultsIn a generalized linear model adjusted for BMI SDS, total serum adiponectin concentrations were correlated to age in girls (p < 0.0001) and boys (p = < 0.0001) and for both sexes combined (p < 0.0001). No significant difference between sexes was found. Reference intervals were calculated using age as a continuous variable. The best fitted reference curve for both sexes was: 50th percentile: Y = − 0.1478 ∗ X + 6.046; 2.5th percentile: Y = − 0.06256 ∗ X + 2.34; 97.5th percentile: Y = − 0.4086 ∗ X + 22.39, where Y = adiponectin in μg/mL and X = years of age (from 6 to 18 years).ConclusionWe developed a pediatric reference levels for total serum adiponectin in a sample of 1193 Danish children and adolescents aged 6–18 years. A correlation with age was demonstrated in children, but no significant difference was seen between the sexes.