Annals of clinical biochemistry
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Ann. Clin. Biochem. · Nov 1986
Plasma alkaline phosphatase activity and its relation to rickets in pre-term infants.
Sequential measurements of plasma alkaline phosphatase activity were made in 84 pre-term infants delivered before 38 weeks gestation. In 67% of infants, without evidence of rickets but in whom three or more measurements were made and the peak activity was less than 10 times the adult reference range, the activity rose to a peak and declined to previous levels, or lower. ⋯ Three infants had radiological evidence of rickets, and of the six cases in whom higher levels were found, only one had radiological evidence of rickets; the remainder did not. It is recommended that in the latter, the high plasma alkaline phosphatase activity should be regarded as evidence of subclinical bone disease.
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Ann. Clin. Biochem. · Jan 1985
Case ReportsSome aspects of calcium metabolism in a fatal case of ethylene glycol poisoning.
Laboratory results are presented for a patient who died following ingestion of an antifreeze solution containing ethylene glycol. It was observed that the measurement of osmolality, which is of value in the early stages of ethylene glycol poisoning, may give normal results if there are many hours delay between ingestion and admission. The hypocalcaemia which frequently accompanies ethylene glycol poisoning is shown to develop over several hours.
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Ann. Clin. Biochem. · Nov 1984
Case ReportsAspirin metabolites causing misinterpretation of paracetamol results.
The inadequacy of single, simple arithmetic corrections for salicylate interference in the widely employed Glynn and Kendal technique for plasma paracetamol assay is highlighted by reference to an actual case of combined salicylate/paracetamol intoxication in an infant. Attention is drawn for the first time to the not insubstantial contribution to such interference made by even the minor metabolites of salicylate. The conclusion is reached that is necessary, particularly in the assessment of paracetamol toxicity, to determine the presence of salicylate, and when present, to employ a specific method for the estimation of paracetamol.