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Journal of Tropical Pediatrics Advance Access published online on February 23, 2008
Journal of Tropical Pediatrics, doi:10.1093/tropej/fmn006
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© The Author [2008]. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

Serum Total Homocysteine Concentrations in Children and Adolescents in Jos, Nigeria

K. J. Adebayoa, E. F. Madub and V. C. Adebayo-Kayc

aDepartment of Chemical Pathology, College of Medicine, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria
bDepartment of Paediatrics, University of Jos Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria
cDepartment of Medical Microbiology, College of Medicine, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria

Correspondence: K. J. Adebayo, Department of Chemical Pathology, FCS, College of Medicine, Ambrose Alli University, P.M.B. 14, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria. Tel: +234 80 230 710 25(m); E-mail: < kjadebayo{at}yahoo.com>.


  Abstract

Background: Although the elevation of circulating total serum homocysteine (tHcy) concentration in a fasting state is associated with an increased risk of occlusive vascular disease in adults, the levels in children in Nigeria are not known.

Aim: The goals of this study were to describe the distribution of tHcy among a representative sample of children and adolescents in Jos, Nigeria, and to test for differences in tHcy among sex and age categories.

Methods: The sampling scheme, which included persons aged 10 to 19 years, was a stratified, multistage probability design. This cross sectional study involved 182 school children drawn from secondary schools in Jos, Nigeria between January and July 2003. Fasting venous samples were collected and assayed for tHcy, Total protein and Albumin. Anthropometric measurements were taken.

Result: The mean tHcy concentrations were 2.7 ± 2.4 (95% CI 2.4–2.9), 3.5 ± 3.2 (3.3–3.8) and 3.6 ± 3.2 (3.3–4.1), 4.1 ± 3.6 (4.0–4.4) µmol/l for the girls and boys aged 10–14 and 15–19 years, respectively. Albumin levels correlate positively with plasma total homocysteine, tHcy (r = 0.45, P = 0.03).

Conclusion: This study provided age-specific data regarding tHcy concentrations between 10–19 years population in Jos, Nigeria. The tHcy concentration increased as a function of age in both sexes.

Key Words: children • adolescent • albumin • homocysteine • age-specific


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