Establishment and Verification of Sex- and Age-Specific Serum Electrolyte Reference Intervals in Healthy Han Children in Changchun, Northeastern China

Abstract

For lack of feasible interval values from population differences and potential analytical discrepancies, it is essential to ascertain potassium (K), sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl), calcium (Ca), and phosphorus (P) ions reference intervals within Chinese children to fill the gap. Healthy children (n = 1391, 2-<15 years old) were recruited from communities and schools to establish sex- and age-specific serum electrolyte reference intervals of Han children in Changchun, China. Levels of serum K, Na, Cl, Ca, and P were measured using a Hitachi 7600-210 automatic biochemical analyzer. Reference intervals were established according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute EP28-A3c guidelines. Data from five representative hospitals located across Changchun were used to verify pediatric serum electrolyte reference intervals. Values were different from adult reference intervals in China. There were sex-specific differences in Na, Cl, Ca, and P reference intervals in 13-<14 children. Serum Na, Cl, and Ca reference intervals showed stable trends within early age groups but fluctuated in teens. Each serum electrolyte had ≤3 age-specific reference intervals. Five laboratories suggested reference intervals were applicable across Changchun.