title: Resolution of age-dependent reference intervals: polynomial regression methodology with applicability to plasma zinc levels in a childhood population.
abstract: We present a systematic parametric method for resolving age-related reference intervals based on differential-polynomial regression analysis. Application of this method to plasma zinc concentrations in a childhood population results in a third degree polynomial expression from which two statistically independent age-reference intervals are derived. The method appears to be useful in describing age-dependent concentration trends particularly for pediatric and geriatric populations.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000375:Aging; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015032:Zinc