Reference Values of Hematologic and Biochemical Parameters of Nutrition around Weaning Period

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To determine the reference values of hematologic and biochemical parameters of nutrition around the weaning period. METHODS: From February 1996 to March 1997, several nutritional laboratory values were evaluated in 130 healthy babies and 120 inpatients in the recovery stage of acute illness at six general hospitals. RESULTS: Reference values in 9-month-old healthy babies(range 6-12 months) were hemoglobin 11.8+/-0.9g/dL, hematocrit 30.9+/-0.7%, serum ferritin 25.7+/-15.4ng/mL, total protein(TP) 6.5+/-0.5g/ dL, albumin 4.6+/-0.5g/dL, prealbumin 15.6+/-3.9mg/L, cholesterol 154.7+/-22.4mg/dL, calcium 10.1+/-0.5mg/dL, phosphorus 6.1+/-0.9mg/dL, alkaline phosphatase(ALP) 235.1+/-66.4U/L. Reference values in 15-month-old healthy babies(range 13-18 months) were hemoglobin 12.3+/-1.0g/dL, hematocrit 30.9+/-0.4%, serum ferritin 20.4+/-11.2ng/mL, TP 6.8+/-0.6g/dL, albumin 4.7+/-0.5g/dL, prealbumin 18.1+/-4.6mg/L, cholesterol 163.1+/-24.2mg/dL, calcium 9.3+/-1.0mg/dL, phosphorus 6.0+/-0.8mg/dL and ALP 254.5+/-64.0U/L. Most reference values were significantly lower in inpatients than the healthy babies, except for serum ferritin level which was the opposite. There were no significant differences in reference values according to feeding and weaning practices. Incidence of anemia(hemoglobin200mg/dL) was 8.6% in 15-month-old healthy babies. CONCLUSION: This study presented the reference values of hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum ferritin, total protein, albumin, prealbumin, cholesterol, calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase around the weaining period. The current nutritional status of Korean babies around the weaning period was appropriate except for borderline iron deficiency.