Analysis index

4 ml EDTA plasma

The blood should be centrifuged directly after blood extraction, but no later than within 15 min and then frozen. Freezing containers will be issued on request.

27 µg/dl – 90 µg/dl

Children:

As per findings report

Severe liver parenchyma damage such as liver cirrhosis, aggressive chemotherapy, valproic acid therapy. Suspicion of congenital metabolic disorder of the urea cycle in newborns and children. Hyperammonemia is often the first lead, pointing towards a defect in the urea cycle.

An increased gamma-GT value can lead to false-high plasma levels, by splitting of glutamic acid and release of ammonia. Hemolysis leads to false-high ammonia levels. 8 hours prior to blood extraction the patient should refrain from smoking as this can lead to increased ammonia levels in the blood. Hyperammonemia in newborns must be clarified at once, as urea cycle defects can cause irreversible damage very quickly.