Elevated Alkaline Phosphatase in Children

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is a marker of bone metabolism in children and is used in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of bone and liver diseases. Elevated ALP levels in children are often a normal physiological phenomenon during growth and development, as children’s bones are actively growing. During this period, bone metabolism is relatively rapid, leading to physiologically elevated ALP levels—which require no treatment. Conversely, elevated ALP may also reflect pathological conditions. For instance, ALP levels may increase in children with bone disorders, hepatobiliary diseases, or certain malignancies. Therefore, whenever ALP is elevated, it is essential to determine whether the elevation is physiological or pathological. If the cause is pathological, prompt medical evaluation at a hospital is warranted.