Haptoglobin concentrations in children aged 9-10 years and its correlation to indirect parameters of erythrocyte turnover.

Low serum haptoglobin values are often found in children. Nine different parameters were studied in 125 healthy children aged 9-10 years to get indirect information on erythrocyte turnover and its possible relation to the low mean plasma haptoglobin level in childhood. The mean LD activity was higher than in adults. The mean carboxyhaemoglobin per cent saturation (COHb %) and the mean serum haptoglobin concentrations were lower than in adults. No significant correlation was found between serum haptoglobin and serum iron, serum bilirubin and COHb %. Significant correlation at low r-values was found between serum iron, serum bilirubin and COHb %. The low serum haptoglobin levels often seen in children seemed not to be caused by an increase in erythrocyte turnover.