Transient hyperphosphatasemia in infants and children: a retrospective study of 43 cases

Abstract

Objective: To describe the prevalence and clinical characteristics of elevated plasma ALP levels during a period of 3 years at our clinic.Material and Methods: We reviewed 533 children, retrospectively, to investigate the frequency, seasonal fluctuation, age distribution, and sex differences of the patients with the elevated ALP levels in younger than 5 years old children.Results: Twenty-four of the patients were girls (55.8%), and the mean age of the patients was 7.48±12.77 (1-60) months. The mean serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level was 1402.23 ± 440.4 U/L (1038-3135 U/L) and it was 3.33±1.04 (2.47-7.46) fold above upper range. Their ALP levels returned to normal in a mean period of 2.5 ± 1.1 (1 to 5) months.Conclusion: Early recognition of this benign entity, should help to avoid unnecessary tests.