IMMULITE® 2000 age and sex-specific reference intervals for alpha fetoprotein, homocysteine, insulin, insulin-like growth factor-1, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3, C-peptide, immunoglobulin E and intact parathyroid hormone

ObjectivesTo determine age and sex-specific pediatric reference intervals for serum alpha fetoprotein, homocysteine, insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3, C-peptide, immunoglobulin E and parathyroid hormone.Design and methodsThe study was conducted at both Children's National Medical Center and Georgetown University, Washington D.C. Results for the above analytes were obtained from the Children's National Medical Center laboratory information system over the period of 1/5/2001–3/8/2007.Patient results using the IMMULITE 2000® were accessed and used to establish reference intervals for the analytes studied. All patient identifiers were removed except age and sex. Analysis of the data was performed at Georgetown University in the Bioanalytical Core Laboratory. The data was analyzed using the Hoffmann approach, and was computer adapted. The number of patient samples studied varied with each analyte and were: Alpha fetoprotein (557), homocysteine (924), insulin-like growth factor-1 (1352), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (711), insulin (3239), C-peptide (267), immunoglobulin E (2691) and parathyroid hormone (513).Results and conclusionsThis study provides pediatric reference intervals for the eight analytes for children from birth to 18 years of age. All the analytes exhibited at least some age dependence. Sex differences between early and late childhood and adolescence were also frequently found.