TOTAL AND LIPID-BOUND SERUM SIALIC-ACID IN CHILDREN WITH MALIGNANCY OR INFECTIONS

Increased levels of sialic acid-containing glycoconjugates in serum ha ve been observed in malignancies. In this study, significantly elevate d serum concentrations of total sialic acid (TSA), TSA/total protein ( TSA/TP) and lipid-bound sialic acid (LASA) were observed at diagnosis of children with various malignancies compared to healthy children. Se rum TSA and TSA/TP were superior to LASA in differentiating solid tumo rs (p<0.005) and leukemias (p<0.05) from normal controls. In neuroblas toma and yolk snc tumors, a descending trend in TSA and TSA/TP was not ed after successful treatment of the malignancy. Children with simulta neous malignancy and infection had significantly higher serum TSA (p<0 .05) and TSA/TP (p<0.01) levels compared to patients with infections d iseases only, the corresponding areas under the curve were 0.83 and 0. 88. The measurement of serum TSA and TSA/TP could be useful adjuncts i n exclusion, diagnosis and follow-up of malignancies in children.