Plasma protein is less in chidlren than adults

1. Summary of the results

The statement that plasma protein is less in children than adults is supported by some analyses, such as the large proteomics study which reports that many plasma proteins show age‑related increases, with lower concentrations in neonates and children compared to adults ^[1]. Additionally, the α‑1‑acid glycoprotein (AAG) ontogeny analysis shows markedly lower AAG concentrations in newborns and young children, rising to adult levels with age, supporting that this plasma protein is less in children ^[2]. Similarly, the AAG maturation study demonstrates lower AAG levels in infants and children versus adults, confirming that plasma protein concentrations are reduced in younger subjects ^[3]. However, other analyses do not provide a direct comparison of plasma protein levels between children and adults, such as the study that found 107 proteins showing differential expression across age groups, but does not directly support or contradict the claim ^[2]. Another study analyzed the plasma proteomes of over 3,000 children and adolescents and found that 58% of the quantified plasma proteins were associated with at least one of the factors age, sex, and BMI-SDS, but does not provide a direct comparison of plasma protein levels between children and adults ^[1]. Some studies only examined plasma protein differences among adult age groups and do not provide any data on children, such as the study that compared the plasma proteomes of healthy adults of different ages ^[4], the study that examines plasma protein differences among adult age groups ^[5], and the research that models organ‑specific aging using plasma proteomics in adult cohorts across the lifespan ^[6].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Some key points that are missing from the original statement include the fact that plasma protein levels change significantly with age, with many proteins showing age‑related increases ^[1]. Additionally, the specific types of plasma proteins that are less in children than adults, such as α‑1‑acid glycoprotein (AAG), are not mentioned in the original statement ^{[2] [3]}. Alternative viewpoints include the idea that plasma protein levels may be used as biomarkers for age-related diseases, but this is not directly related to the claim that plasma protein is less in children than adults ^[2]. The fact that 58% of the quantified plasma proteins were associated with at least one of the factors age, sex, and BMI-SDS in children and adolescents is also not considered in the original statement ^[1]. The benefits of considering these alternative viewpoints include a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between plasma protein levels and age, as well as the potential applications of plasma protein biomarkers for age-related diseases.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be misleading because it does not provide a direct comparison of plasma protein levels between children and adults, and it does not consider the specific types of plasma proteins that are less in children than adults ^{[1] [2] [3]}. The statement may also be biased towards a simplistic view of the relationship between plasma protein levels and age, without considering the complexity of age-related changes in plasma protein levels ^{[2] [1] [4]}. The beneficiaries of this framing include researchers who focus on age-related diseases and biomarkers, as well as healthcare professionals who may use plasma protein levels to diagnose and treat age-related conditions ^{[2] [1] [3]}. However, the potential misinformation and bias in the original statement may also have negative consequences, such as oversimplifying the relationship between plasma protein levels and age, or ignoring the complexity of age-related changes in plasma protein levels ^{[2] [1] [4]}.