[Serum mannan-binding lectin levels in preschool children from Shenzhen].
OBJECTIVE
Mannan-binding lectin (MBL) is a C-type serum lectin that plays a central role in the innate immune response. At present there is no a reference range of serum MBL levels for children in China. This study investigated serum MBL levels in preschool children from Shenzhen.


METHODS
A total of 118 children (62 boys and 56 girls) at ages of 3-6 years and sampled randomly from three kindergartens of Shenzhen were enrolled in this study. Serum MBL concentrations were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
The mean serum MBL concentration in these children was 779.07+/-268.98 ng/mL. There were no significant differences in the value of serum MBL between boys and girls (783.89+/-252.30 ng/mL vs 773.65+/-288.29 ng/mL) (P>0.05). Sixteen children (13.6%) had MBL concentrations less than 500 ng/mL (the low limited value used abroad), including 14 cases with 50-500 ng/mL and 2 cases with less than 50 ng/mL.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides a reference range of serum MBL concentration for preschool children. MBL may be a useful marker for the prevention of infection in children.
Chen
Wei-Dong
WD
Department of Clinical Laboratory, Shenzhen Hospital, Peking University, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518036, China. bayyyz@yahoo.com.cn
Xiao
Qin
Q
Zou
De-Xue
DX
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D008297:Male; D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin / Q000097:blood*
D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin