This study was conducted to analyze the clinical manifestation and natural course of benign transient hyperphosphatasemia (BTH) in children.

A total of 17 children diagnosed with BTH between June 2006 and July 2007, were included in this study. Clinical records and laboratory tests were analyzed retrospectively for all children.

The mean age of the patients was 26.9±13.8 months (range: 9 to 49 months). Nine of the 17 BTH cases (52.9%) occurred in patients that had previously suffered from infectious diseases. While the patients were suffering from BTH, the mean serum level of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was 2,500.2±1,165.1 U/L, however, these elevated serum ALP levels normalized within 7 weeks of recovery in all cases. In addition, a seasonal peak in the onset of BTH was observed from September to December. Further, the measurement of ALP isoenzymes in 7 of the patients with BTH, revealed a marked elevation of bone fraction.

It is important for pediatricians to understand the clinical manifestation and benign course of BTH to avoid unnecessary diagnostic evaluation in children showing a transient increase in ALP activities.