Abstract • 133

From numerous studies it is clear that mild hyperhomocysteinemia is strongly and independently related to vascular disease.At present there are only limited data on normal values of total homocysteine(tHcy) in healthy children.

The aim of our study was to establish the reference values for a pediatric population and compare them with those of patients,at risk for vascular complications,with HC or combined HC and MMA. Plasma tHcy concentrations were performed with HPLC method and fluorescence detection in 2 groups. Group 1: 47 healthy children(23 males and 24 females age:1-14years);Group 2:10 patients(6 HC and 4 combined HC and MMA).

In the group 1 tHcy ranged between 5.7 and 10.7umol/l(mean 8.66) and 4.9-9.5umol/l(mean7.9) for males and females,respectively. We found higher tHcy in all patients for the group 2:range 50-285.7umol/l and 35-45umol/l for HC and combined HC and MMA patients.

In conclusion significant differences in tHcy concentrations between healthy children and patients at risk for vascular events were found. We suggeste that tHcy measurement should be included in the diagnostic protocol of subjects with vascular disease.In fact these patients could benefit from homocysteine-lowering intervention.