Clinical Features and Natural Course of Benign Transient Hyperphosphatasemia in Children / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to analyze the clinical manifestation and natural course of benign transient hyperphosphatasemia (BTH) in children. METHODS: A total of 17 children diagnosed with BTH between June 2006 and July 2007, were included in this study. Clinical records and laboratory tests were analyzed retrospectively for all children. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 26.9+/-13.8 months (range 9 to 49 months). Nine of the 17 BTH cases (52.9%) occurred in patients that had previously suffered from infectious diseases. While the patients were suffering from BTH, the mean serum level of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was 2,500.2+/-1,165.1 U/L, however, these elevated serum ALP levels normalized within 7 weeks of recovery in all cases. In addition, a seasonal peak in the onset of BTH was observed from September to December. Further, the measurement of ALP isoenzymes in 7 of the patients with BTH, revealed a marked elevation of bone fraction. CONCLUSION: It is important for pediatricians to understand the clinical manifestation and benign course of BTH to avoid unnecessary diagnostic evaluation in children showing a transient increase in ALP activities.