Influence of age and sex on serum complement components in children
B. Roach, Y. Kim, E. Jerome and A. F. Michael
Concentrations of eight complement components were determined on sera from
419 healthy children (198 boys and 221 girls) aged from 1 to 19 years. A
significant correlation between concentration and age for all complement
components (C1q, C1s, C4, C3, C5, factor B, properdin, and C1 inhibitor)
was observed for girls; in the male population, a significant correlation
was present only for C1q, C4, C3, C5, and properdin. The presence of a
significant relationship to age suggests that this variable must be
considered in establishing normal values of serum complement for children.
