Pediatric Laboratory Ranges
The normal range (95% confidence interval around the mean) for some laboratory studies in children is different than in adults. Below is a partial list of some common labs that differ in children. The Department of Laboratory Medicine has pediatric reference ranges for some studies. For a complete list of reference ranges available through the Department of Laboratory studies click here.
Note: The pediatric ranges listed below are not reference ranges from the NIH lab, and assay method-specific differences can occur. They are derived from The Harriet Lane Handbook, 16th edition. Adult values with an asterisk (*) are from the reference range reported at the NIH.
Ranges for Alkaline Phosphatase
See Reference values at NIH
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Ranges for Creatinine (mg/dL):
|
Infant |
0.2-0.4 |
|
Child |
0.3-0.7 |
|
Adolescent |
0.5-1.0 |
|
Adult Man* |
0.9-1.4 |
|
Adult Woman* |
0.7-1.3 |
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Ranges for Phosphorus (mg/dL):
|
10 days- 24 months |
4.5-6.7 |
|
24 months- 12 years |
4.5-5.5 |
|
12 years- 18 years |
2.7-4.5 |
|
18 years or older* |
2.5 - 4.8 |
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Ranges for Potassium (mEq/L):
|
Infant |
4.1-5.3 |
|
Child |
3.4-4.7 |
|
Adult* |
3.3-5.1 |
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Blood Count Indices:
|
Age |
Hgba (g/dL) |
MCVa(fL) |
WBCb(103/mm3) |
Plateletsb(103/mm3) |
|
6 months |
12.6 (11.1) |
76 (68) |
6 - 17.5 |
150 - 350 |
|
6 mo - 2 yr |
12.0 (10.5) |
78 (70) |
6 - 17 |
150 - 350 |
|
2 yr - 6 yr |
12.5 (11.5) |
81 (75) |
5 - 15.5 |
150 - 350 |
|
6 yr - 12 yr |
13.5 (11.5) |
86 (77) |
4.5 - 13.5 |
150 - 350 |
|
12 yr - 18 yr Boys |
14.5 (13) |
88 (78) |
4.5 - 13.5 |
150 - 350 |
|
12 yr - 18 yr Girls |
14.0 (12) |
90 (78) |
4.5 - 13.5 |
150 - 350 |
|
a Mean values with lower limit (-2SD) in parentheses( )
b Ranges ±2 SD |
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This information is prepared specifically for caregivers involved in clinical research at the NIH Clinical Center at the National Institutes of Health.
