THE CONCENTRATION OF 21 SERUM PROTEINS IN NORMAL CHILDREN AND ADULTS

Abstract By means of Laurell quantitative immunoelectrophoresis albumin, IgG, IgA and IgM have been examined in 258 sera from normal children and adults, while a further 17 serum proteins have been determined in 208 of these sera. In comparison with the adults, the children showed lower mean concentrations of pre‐albumin, α1‐lipoprotein, α1‐antitrypsin, easily precipitable glycoprotein, α1‐antichymotrypsin, Gc protein, haptoglobin, hemopexin, β‐lipoprotein, IgG, IgA and IgM, and higher concentrations of ceruloplasmin, α2‐macroglobulin, pseudocholinesterase, complement C'3 and transferrin. Furthermore several proteins showed higher variations of values in comparison with adults. The indication of normal ranges separately for children and adults is therefore necessary. During shorter or longer periods of life, men showed a higher concentration than women in respect of prealbumin, albumin, ceruloplasmin, β‐lipoprotein, transferrin and IgA and, vice versa, a higher concentration was found in women for α1‐lipoprotein, α1‐antitrypsin, ceruloplasmin, α2‐macroglobulin, pseudocholinesterase, hemopexin and IgM. In these periods of life normal ranges for the mentioned proteins should therefore be used for either sex. The variation of the proteins according to sex throughout life is evaluated on the basis of the present knowledge of their function in the organism.