[Blood prealbumin: comparison of 2 methods of assay and correlation with the retinol binding protein].

Prealbumin was determined by radial immunodiffusion and laser immunonephelometry methods in serum or plasma from 86 adult subjects. Both methods were reliable in physiologic prealbumin range but immunonephelometry only was reliable for lower levels. Physiologic prealbumin level was 346 +/- 67 mg/l in adult males and 319 +/- 48 mg/l in adult females; no difference was noted for retinol binding protein (60 +/- 14 mg/l). When prealbumin and retinol binding protein levels were low, no close correlation was noted in their variations.