Enzyme Immunoassay of Serum Erythropoietin in Healthy Children: Reference Values

Abstract

A solid phase enzyme immunoassay for erythropoietin which required only a small specimen of blood was evaluated. It permitted measurement up to 150 IU/L. Recovery was between 86 · 2% and 110 · 0% and between-batch precision between 4 · 7% and 5 · 7%. We determined the levels of erythropoietin in infants aged 10 months (geometric mean 11 · 2 IU/L; 95% range 3 · 6–34 · 9) and in children aged 2 years (geometric mean 10 · 5 IU/L; 95% range 4 · 3–25 · 8). Both were significantly higher than the values found in children aged 4 years (geometric mean 7 · 2 IU/L; 95% range 2 · 4–21 · 8). There were no differences between the values in children at 4 years, those aged 4–15 years and adults.