Abstract
Serum alkaline phosphatase total activity was determined in infants with biliary atresia,in infants with hepatitis, and in normal control infants. Values ranged from normal to significantly elevated in infants with biliary atresia and in those with hepatitis. In normal infants, serum alkaline phosphatase activity ranged from 8.7 to 28.3 King-Armstrong units (mean 15.3±5.9). In infants with biliary atresia and in those with hepatitis, normal serum alkaline phosphatase values and normal x-rays of wrist epiphyses were observed when these infants were receiving vitamin D in daily doses exceeding 2,400 I.U. from the third to fourth weeks of age. In contrast, high serum alkaline phosphatase values were found in infants with obstructive jaundice and radiologic or other biochemical evidence of rickets, who were receiving vitamin D indaily doses of 100 to 400 I.U. It seems probable that the high values of serum alkaline phosphatase in association with hepatic disease in infants reflects, at least in part, a secondary vitamin D deficiency.
Published Version
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