Which laboratory finding in a school-age child should be reported to the provider?

A creatinine level of 1.6 mg/dL is significant in the context of a school-age child. Normal serum creatinine levels for children generally range from about 0.3 to 0.7 mg/dL for younger children and may be slightly higher for older children and adolescents; however, any value above the upper limit can indicate impaired kidney function or renal issues. In this case, a level of 1.6 mg/dL suggests potential renal dysfunction that the healthcare provider needs to assess further, making it imperative to report this finding.

The other laboratory findings present values that fall within normal ranges for a school-age child. A glucose level of 80 mg/dL is considered normal and indicates good glycemic control, while a hemoglobin level of 12 g/dL is generally adequate for this age group, reflecting appropriate red blood cell levels. A calcium level of 9 mg/dL also falls within the normal range for children. Thus, the creatinine level stands out as needing further evaluation and action, highlighting the importance of monitoring renal function in pediatric care.