Serum mannan-binding lectin levels in preschool children from Shenzhen.
- Author:
Wei-Dong CHEN
1
;
Qin XIAO
;
De-Xue ZOU
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Male; Mannose-Binding Lectin; blood
- From: Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2008;10(2):149-151
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVEMannan-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.
METHODSA 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.
RESULTSThe 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.
CONCLUSIONSThis 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.
