Serum Beta-2-Microglobulin in Healthy Children

Abstract
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is an increasing problem in the pediatric populations. Beta-2-microglobulin is part of the HLA structure, being especially abundant in the lymphoid cells and the most useful nonspecific indicium of AIDS. Serum beta-2-microglobulin assayed in 271 healthy children had a geometric mean of 1.398 mg/L and a 5-95 percentile interval of 0.925-2.202 mg/L; thus, values above 2.202 mg/L may be indicative of active disease.