Due to the possibility of underlying hepatobiliaryor bone diseases, the diagnostic work up of a child with elevated alkaline phosphatase (AP) levels can be quite costly. In a significant proportion of these patients, elevated AP is benign, requiring no intervention: hence, known as transient hyperphosphatasemia (THP) of infants and children. A 27-month old previously healthy Caucasian female was found to have isolated elevation of AP four weeks after the initial symptoms of acute gastroenteritis. One month later, when seen in hepatobiliary clinic, signs and symptoms of gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, or bone disease were absent and physical examination was normal. The diagnosis of THP was made, and, as anticipated, AP levels normalized after four months. Using this case as an example, we suggest an algorithm that can be utilized as a guide in a primary care setting to arrive at the diagnosis of THP and avoid further tests or referrals.

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ACs readily accepted influenza vaccination at their child's pediatric primary care office. Increased vaccination acceptance occurred when ACs were female, had private insurance, if their child had a chronic illness and if the vaccination was offered the same day as their child's appointment. Likely reason for low acceptance in ACs with Medicaid insurance is high cost; thus, staff, well-aware of Medicaid's nonreimbursement, likely offered the vaccine less to these parents.