GLUTAMIC OXALACETIC TRANSAMINASE ACTIVITY IN THE SERUM IN MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY AND OTHER NEUROMUSCULAR DISORDERS IN CHILDHOOD

Abstract

Serum activities of the enzyme glutamic oxalacetic transaminase were measured in 57 infants and children with various neuromuscular disorders. High values were obtained in 20 out of 32 patients with the Duchenne type of muscular dystrophy. The 12 cases with normal or borderline activities were mainly older children usually with advanced disease. Of the 10 patients with other varieties of muscular dystrophy, all but one had normal values. Normal values were invariably present in primary neuropathies. In the polymyositic group a small series of five cases had normal or borderline activities. The measurement of activity of this enzyme in the serum is a useful diagnostic aid in neuromuscular disorders, particularly in the younger child.