Plasma molybdenum concentrations in children with and without phenylketonuria.

Plasma molybdenum concentrations were determined in children, ages two to 12 yr, with and without phenylketonuria (PKU). Mean plasma molybdenum concentrations did not differ significantly between the children with PKU (1.33 +/- 0.5 microgram/L) and without PKU (1.75 +/- 0.8 microgram/L). Plasma molybdenum concentrations in both groups of children ranged from < 1 to 3 micrograms/L. When data from all children were combined and then separated based on gender, mean plasma molybdenum levels did not differ significantly between 9 females (1.56 +/- 0.68 microgram/L) and 12 males (1.58 +/- 0.76 microgram/L). Data were also combined and mean (+/- SD) plasma molybdenum concentrations calculated for age groups. Two children aged 1 to < 4 yr had plasma molybdenum concentrations of 1.0 micrograms/L, and six children aged 4 to < 7 yr had mean (+/- SD) plasma molybdenum concentrations of 1.5 +/- 0.8 microgram/L. Eleven children aged 7 to < 11 yr had a mean plasma molybdenum concentration of 1.7 +/- 0.7 microgram/L, and two children 11 to < 14 yr had plasma molybdenum of 1 microgram/L and 2 micrograms/L. Plasma molybdenum concentrations did not differ significantly among children in the age groups.