title: Influence of age and sex on serum complement components in children.
abstract: 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.
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: 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