Why would Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and calcium be tested in a one year old?
Calcium and alkaline phosphatase are usually measured together. The most obvious reason would be some sort of bone or growth related problem. Calcium is one of the main constituents of bone. Alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme that is increased when bone is being formed or calcium is mobilised. Edit following additional information: Hi. An elevated Alkaline phosphatase is very common in perfectly healthy children. My personal view is that this rise is associated with a growth spurt when there is increased activity associated with bone growth. Doctors tend to get very excited about “abnormal” laboratory results as they are always convinced that they have found something interesting. Having worked in a busy paediatric lab for many years, I have lost count of the number of telephone calls I have dealt with regarding “raised” ALP. My advice is always the same, repeat the investigation. 99 times out of a hundred the level has come down when the repeat test is done. (As your son has a milk all
