Influence of age and sex on serum complement components in children.
Concentrations of eight complement components were determined on sera from 419 healthy children (198 boys and 221 girls) aged from 1 to 19 years. A significant correlation between concentration and age for all complement components (C1q, C1s, C4, C3, C5, factor B, properdin, and C1 inhibitor) was observed for girls; in the male population, a significant correlation was present only for C1q, C4, C3, C5, and properdin. The presence of a significant relationship to age suggests that this variable must be considered in establishing normal values of serum complement for children.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003166:Complement Activating Enzymes / Q000032:analysis; D015922:Complement C1q; D003173:Complement C1s; D003176:Complement C3 / Q000032:analysis; D003181:Complement C4 / Q000032:analysis; D003182:Complement C5 / Q000032:analysis; D003170:Complement Pathway, Alternative; D003171:Complement Pathway, Classical; D003165:Complement System Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D004792:Enzyme Precursors / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011414:Properdin / Q000032:analysis
D003176:Complement C3; D003181:Complement C4; D003182:Complement C5; D004792:Enzyme Precursors; D011414:Properdin; D015922:Complement C1q; D003165:Complement System Proteins; D003166:Complement Activating Enzymes; D003173:Complement C1s