Age-related plasma reference ranges for two heparin- Vinding proteins - Vitronectin and platelet factor 4

Abstract

This study was conducted to establish age-related reference ranges for two heparin-binding proteins - vitronectin and platelet factor 4 (PF4) - and to determine if the quantitative values of these proteins may contribute to the reported age-dependent effect of unfractionated heparin (UFH). Plasma samples were obtained from healthy children aged between 1 month and 16 years and from healthy adult volunteers. Two commercial kits were used to measure plasma vitronectin and PF4 levels. Results were reported as mean and boundaries including 95% of the population. Plasma vitronectin levels for children aged 1-5 years were significantly higher compared with adults. Plasma PF4 levels for infants <1 ..