Serum free carnitine levels in children with recurrent pulmonary infections

Abstract

The serum free carnitine levels of 33 children with recurrent pulmonary infection and 30 healthy children were measured and found to be 26.12 +/- 0.98 nmol/mL and that of the control group 38.98 +/- 0.79 nmol/mL on the average. The mean free carnitine level was statistically determined to be significantly lower when compared with that of the control group (P < 0.01). The results indicate that oral L-carnitine therapy is recommended for pediatric patients with recurrent pulmonary infection.