EVALUATION OF DELTA-AMINOLEVULINIC-ACID EXCRETION IN RANDOM URINE SAMPLES OF CHILDREN

Urinary delta-aminolaevulinic acid (delta-ALA) excretion was evaluated in random urine samples of 191 healthy children, aged 2-14 years, wit h blood lead levels < 0.8 mu mol/l (mean +/- SD: 0.34 +/- 0.13), eryth rocyte zinc-protoporphyrin < 70 mu mol/mol haem (mean +/- SD: 50.4 +/- 8.0) and blood haemoglobin > 6.8 mmol/l(mean +/- SD: 8.2 +/- 0.5). It was found that uncorrected delta-ALA concentration and delta ALA/crea tinine ratio are age-dependent, whereas the ratio of delta-ALA/logarit hm of creatinine concentration (mean +/- SD: 55.3 +/- 13.5 mu mol/log mmol) is independent of age and sex. The authors recommend the use of this parameter for the assessment of delta-ALA excretion in random uri ne samples in children.