Lab values
Pediatric Lab Values
Children have their own reference ranges; use the lab’s age-specific range when one is printed.
| Test | US units | SI units | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hemoglobin, newborn | 14–24 g/dL | 140–240 g/L | |
| Hemoglobin, infant | 9.5–14 g/dL | 95–140 g/L | Physiologic nadir 9–11 g/dL at 2–3 months in term babies (8–10 if preterm) SI: Physiologic nadir 90–110 g/L at 2–3 months in term babies (80–100 if preterm) |
| Hemoglobin, children (anemia below) | 11.0 (6–23 months), 11.1 (2–4 yr), 11.5 (5–7 yr), 11.9 g/dL (8–11 yr) | 110 (6–23 months), 111 (2–4 yr), 115 (5–7 yr), 119 g/L (8–11 yr) | Ages 12–17: below 12.5–13.3 in boys, 11.8–12.0 in girls (CDC) SI: Ages 12–17: below 125–133 g/L in boys, 118–120 g/L in girls (CDC) |
| Hematocrit, newborn and infant | 45–61% (newborn), 32–42% (infant) | 0.45–0.61 L/L (newborn), 0.32–0.42 L/L (infant) | |
| WBC, newborn (4 hours) | 16,200–31,500/mm³ | 16.2–31.5 × 10⁹/L | 10th–90th percentile in healthy term babies, mean about 24,000; children need age-specific ranges SI: 10th–90th percentile in healthy term babies, mean about 24 × 10⁹/L; children need age-specific ranges |
| Creatinine, infant (1–12 months) | 0.1–0.4 mg/dL | 9–35 µmol/L | Rises with age and muscle mass, so an adult-normal value can be high for a small child |
| Creatinine, 1–5 years | 0.15–0.5 mg/dL | 13–44 µmol/L | |
| Creatinine, 6–11 years | 0.25–0.7 mg/dL | 22–62 µmol/L | |
| Creatinine, 12–17 years | 0.4–1.05 mg/dL (boys), 0.35–0.8 mg/dL (girls) | 35–93 µmol/L (boys), 31–71 µmol/L (girls) | |
| Alkaline phosphatase, 1–9 years | 156–369 units/L | 156–369 U/L | High while bones grow, highest in the pubertal growth spurt |
| Alkaline phosphatase, 10–14 years | 141–460 units/L (10–12 yr); 13–14 yr: 127–517 (boys), 62–280 (girls) | 141–460 U/L (10–12 yr); 13–14 yr: 127–517 (boys), 62–280 (girls) | |
| Alkaline phosphatase, 15–18 years | 15–16 yr: 89–365 (boys), 54–128 (girls); 17–18 yr: 59–164 (boys), 48–95 units/L (girls) | 15–16 yr: 89–365 (boys), 54–128 (girls); 17–18 yr: 59–164 (boys), 48–95 U/L (girls) | Falls to adult values by about 17–18 years, earlier in girls |
Study the labs
- ABG Interpretation in 6 StepspH, PaCO₂, HCO₃⁻, compensation, anion gap and oxygenation, with worked examples
- Electrolyte ImbalancesNa, K, Ca, Mg and phos: normals, ECG clues, safe replacement, hyperkalemia steps
- Pediatric Assessment and EmergenciesPAT, vital signs, airway infections, febrile seizures, dehydration, arrest, choking and abuse
- Lab Values to KnowNormal ranges in US units, therapeutic drug levels, and acting on a critical result
- Postpartum and Newborn NormalsFundus and lochia, BUBBLE-HE, PPH, Rh and vaccines, newborn vital signs, Apgar, jaundice, glucose, screening and discharge teaching
Other lab values
- Chemistry
- Hematology
- Coagulation
- Arterial blood gas
- Liver and pancreas
- Cardiac
- Therapeutic drug levels
- Urine
- Pregnancy and postpartum
- Newborn
- Pediatric vital signs by age
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Sources
- MedlinePlus 2026; Merck Manual (perinatal anemia, 2024); CDC MMWR 1998; Schelonka 1994; Chuang 2021 (creatinine); CALIPER via Haffner 2022 (alkaline phosphatase)
For education and exam preparation only. Follow your institution’s protocols. Typical adult values for study. Follow the order, the label and your institution's protocols.