Normal values for random urinary calcium to creatinine ratios in infancy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine normal values for the urinary calcium/creatinine ratio (UCa/Cr) in infants. To assess the impact of short-term supplementation of infant formula with calcium and phosphorus on UCa/Cr in a group of infants.


METHODS
We determined UCa/Cr in randomly collected urine samples from a group of children and adults. Short-term supplementation of infant formula with calcium glycerophosphate was carried out in 21 infants, and UCa/Cr was monitored in a before-and-after trial.


METHODS
A pediatric clinic at an academic center (infants and adults), and a day-care center (older children).


METHODS
A total of 103 infants between 5 days and 7 months of age, 40 infants between 8 and 17 months of age, 41 children between 18 months and 6 years, and 31 adults.


RESULTS
The 95th percentiles for molar UCa/Cr for the different age groups were as follows: less than 7 months, 2.42 (0.86 mg/mg); 7 to 18 months, 1.69 (0.60 mg/mg); 19 months to 6 years, 1.18 (0.42 mg/mg); and adults, 0.61 (0.22 mg/mg). Regression analysis indicated a statistically significant decline in average UCa/Cr with age (R2 = 0.115, p < 0.0001 for log (UCa/Cr) vs log (age)). The geometric means for the two groups of infants were significantly greater than those of the older children and the adults (p < 0.05). Values for UCa/Cr in adults in our sample were comparable to those previously reported. We detected no significant changes in mean UCa/Cr during week-long periods of calcium supplementation of up to 1.8 gm of calcium and 1.39 gm of phosphorus per liter of formula.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that normal values for UCa/Cr are much higher in infants than in older children and adults; UCa/Cr is age-related and declines gradually in the first several years of life, and short-term supplementation of infant formula with calcium glycerophosphate has minimal effect on UCa/Cr.
Sargent
J D
JD
Department of Pediatrics, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH 03756.
Stukel
T A
TA
Kresel
J
J
Klein
R Z
RZ
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002118:Calcium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000652:urine*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D012016:Reference Values
D003404:Creatinine; D002118:Calcium