Why would alkaline phosphatase be high in a child?

High values High ALP levels can be caused by bone diseases, such as Paget’s disease, osteomalacia, rickets, bone tumors, or tumors that have spread from another part of the body to the bone, or by overactive parathyroid glands (hyperparathyroidism). Normal healing of a bone fracture can also raise ALP levels.

What conditions cause elevated alkaline phosphatase?

The most common causes of high ALP levels include:

liver conditions, often bile duct obstructions.
gallbladder conditions, usually gallstones.
bone conditions, such as abnormal growths and occasionally cancers.
pregnancy.
young age, as children who are still growing tend to have much higher ALP levels.

What happens if alkaline phosphatase is too high?

High levels may also indicate an issue related to the bones such as rickets, Paget’s disease, bone cancer, or an overactive parathyroid gland. In rare cases, high ALP levels can indicate heart failure, kidney cancer, other cancer, mononucleosis, or bacterial infection.

What causes high Alk Phos?

High alk. Phos can be caused by any/many liver disorders from any cause including hepatitis, obstruction of the bile due to stone or tumor.

What is considered high alkaline phosphatase?

Values above 130 U/L are usually considered to be high. Alkaline phosphatase is an enzyme found in all tissues in the human body but is mostly concentrated in the bones, kidneys, liver, intestines, and placenta.

What makes alkaline phosphatase high?

Osteoblastic or bone conditions like bone diseases and bone cancers lead to high levels of alkaline phosphatase. During bone growth, the activity of osteoclasts are increased, which elevates the ALP levels. When the activity of osteoclasts are increased, the rate of bone breakdown also increases.

What does high Alk Phos mean?

A high alk phos level does not reflect liver damage or inflammation. A high alk phos level occurs when there is a blockage of flow in the biliary tract or a buildup of pressure in the liver–often caused by a gallstone or scarring in the bile ducts.