title: Plasma pancreatic and salivary-type amylase and immunoreactive trypsin concentrations: variations with age and reference ranges for children.
abstract: The differential alpha-amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) assay was applied to 166 control children in the age range 0.1--13 years. Circulating levels of both pancreatic and salivary-type amylase were very low (mean 20 U/l) in the first four months of life. Pancreatic levels increased gradually with age, reaching adult levels (mean 74 U/l) by the age of eight years. Salivary amylase levels showed a sharp rise in the 0.9--1.9 year period reaching maximum levels (mean 99 U/l) by age 5--6 years. While linear regression analysis showed significant correlation between age of subject and pancreatic and salivary amylase levels, no such correlation was evident between age and plasma immunoreactive trypsin levels over the age range studied. Plasma trypsin levels in children were lower than reported adult values. Reference ranges for pancreatic and salivary-type amylase and immunoreactive trypsin in children are presented. The importance of age-matching, when pancreatic amylase and plasma trypsin are being investigated in children, is emphasised.
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000681:Amylases / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010179:Pancreas / Q000201:enzymology*; D012016:Reference Values; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000201:enzymology*; D014357:Trypsin / Q000097:blood*; D000516:alpha-Amylases / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D000681:Amylases; D000516:alpha-Amylases; D014357:Trypsin