N-acetyl-cystein- (NAC) -activated creatinkinase (CK) and isoenzyme CK-MB in the serum of children
Sitzmann, F.C.; Orth, H.
Monatsschrift Kinderheilkunde Organ der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Kinderheilkunde 131(8): 509-512
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0026-9298 PMID: 6633540 Document Number: 218992
We have examined the variation of creatinekinase levels (NAC-activated) with age in 170 children. The subjects included 40 neonates, 18 premature neonates, 40 small babies, 32 infants and 40 schoolchildren. The enzyme activity of CK-MM was very high in the first hours after delivery and remained high for a few days. The isoenzyme MB in healthy newborns also showed a higher catalytic concentration. These values (about 2-12 U/l) reached normal levels of adults within 4 months of life (0.5-5 U/l). The same rule applied to CK-MM: enzyme activities of 160 U/l and more in the first days of life declined to 16-75 U/l during the first 4 months. No correlation between birth trauma and the increase in serum-CK was found. Because of the increased CK-MM (and CK-MB) found in normal newborns screening for Duchenne-type muscular dystrophy should be postponed for a few weeks after delivery. In view of the relatively high endogenous serum CK-MB in the neonates (release of CK-MB from the skeletal muscle) the test lacks the specificity for cardiac damage. Intramuscular injections of several drugs lead to a distinct increase in CK activity. A rise of CK-MM was seen 4-24 h after catheterization of the heart.