Question
What is the normal range for a child’s lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels?
Answer
Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in the blood can serve as an indicator of children’s health. Normally, the activity level of LDH in children’s serum is approximately between 100-250 U/L. However, this value may vary due to age, gender, and individual differences. Therefore, to determine if a child’s LDH level is normal, it is necessary to refer to age- and gender-specific normal value ranges. Moreover, LDH has five isoenzyme forms, and their distribution can provide more specific health information. In diagnosing myocardial diseases, particular attention is paid to the ratio of LDH isoenzymes. Generally, LDH2 (heart type LDH) levels are higher than LDH1 (liver type LDH). However, when myocardium is damaged, LDH1 levels may exceed LDH2, which is an indicator of potential myocardial disease. Electrophoresis technology can be used to separate and analyze LDH isoenzymes, aiding in the diagnosis of heart disease. It should be noted that other factors such as strenuous exercise, infection, or certain drug treatments may also affect LDH levels. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis should be made by combining clinical symptoms with other laboratory test results during diagnosis.