Red cell enzymes and intermediates in AGA term newborns, AGA preterm newborns and SGA term newborns

Red cell enzyme activities and 2,3-diphosphoglycerate and adenosine-triphosphate levels in cord blood of three groups of newborn infants were studied. The groups were classified according to birthweight in relation to intrauterine growth and gestational age. Only phosphofructokinase, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and enolase activity values differed significantly among the groups. The activity of phosphofructokinase was lower in small-for-date term infants (TSGA) and preterm adequate for gestational age (PTAGA) in comparison to term infants adequate for gestational age (TAGA). Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity was higher in TAGA, in comparison to PTAGA, with no other difference among the groups. Enolase activity was found to be higher in TSGA compared to TAGA and higher in PTAGA compared to TAGA. No differences were found between PTAGA and TSGA.     

Vitamin E concentrations in term and preterm newborns and their clinical course

Vitamin E deficiency in premature infants has been described as being associated with low hemoglobin levels in the 2nd month of life. Recently, low vitamine E concentrations were suspected as being associated with sudden death in infancy. As vitamin E is absorbed incompletely from the premature's intestine, vitamin E levels in the serum were determined in 80 prematures on the 10th day of life. The result was correlated to the clinical course of the infants and to the hemoglobin levels up to the 30th day.Low concentrations of vitamin E and lower hemoglobin levels were found more frequently in newborns, whose clinical course was characterized by additional complications and who received parenteral nutrition. A group of uncomplicated newborns showed no correlation of vitamin E to hemoglobin values. Thus early diagnosis of vitamin E-dependent anemia is not possible and the usefulness of vitamin E should be investigated only in newborns with an uneventful clinical course.Auszugsweise vorgetragen anläßlich der 24. Tagung der Nordwestdeutschen Gesellschaft für Kinderheilkunde, Kiel, 6.-8. 6. 1975.     

Platelet aggregation in term and preterm newborns

The platelets of newborns have a hyporeactive period. This period, during which the platelet count is normal but their functions are deficient, is called transient platelet hyporeactivity of newborns. The platelet functions and their normalizing process of term and preterm neonates are investigated. Twenty term and 20 preterm (gestational age <37 weeks) newborns were enrolled in the study. Twenty-eight healthy children aged 2 months to 3 years old participated in the study as the control group. Healthy newborns were followed for 15 days after birth longitudinally in 3 periods: period 1 (0-4 days), period 2 (5-9 days), period 3 (10-15 days). Aggregation studies were performed from whole blood samples. Whole blood aggregation was measured by the impedance method. Transient hyporeactivity of platelets was found in term and preterm groups, and there was no difference between term and preterms. Platelets of newborns gained their normal functions at postnatal 10-14 days. The results show that hyporeactivity of platelets during the first 9 days of life is physiological and transient.     

Factor VIII related antigen in term and preterm newborns with severe neonatal haemorrhage

Plasma factor VIII related antigen (VIIIR:Ag) concentrations were studied in term and preterm newborn infants. The control population was a group of normal children 2 to 12 years of age without any manifest disorder. The aim of the present investigation was to follow the change of VIIIR:Ag in the newborn and to study its level in sick preterm infants with severe bleeding disease. The VIIIR:Ag level in the control children was 86.2 +/- 20.5%. The lowest concentration was measured in term infants between 48-72 hours of life. The highest VIIIR:Ag level (129.1 +/- 8.1%) was found in those preterm newborns who died of pulmonary and intracranial bleeding in the early neonatal period. VIIIR:Ag is a useful marker of endothelial cell damage in the perinatal period.     

Urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase excretion in term and preterm neonates

Urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) excretion was measured in term and preterm neonates on days 1, 4, 7, 14 and 28 of life. Urinary NAG showed a peak level on day 4 or 7 in these infants. In addition, it tended to be higher with the degree of prematurity. In sick preterms who were depressed at birth and had respiratory failure, the NAG activity was further elevated during the first 2 weeks, suggesting the presence of renal tubular injury in this period. These observations thus suggest that urinary NAG may be a sensitive measure of renal maturation or damage in neonates.     

足月儿与早产儿排尿方式的比较研究

目的 探讨足月儿与早产儿出生后排尿方式的不同.方法 选取2010年3月至5月人住郑州大学第一附属医院新生儿室的出生后3～7d足月儿12例与早产儿14例作为研究对象,足月儿孕(38.3±1.1)周,体重(3.1±0.4)kg,早产儿孕(32.5±1.6)周,体重(1.7±0.4)kg.观察新生儿在12 h内(上午9点至晚上9点)的自由排尿情况,记录每次排尿量、残余尿量、排尿时的意识状态(清醒/睡眠)、排尿次数及排尿时间等参数,同时记录饮奶量、液体输入量及摄入时间,液体摄人量按标准进行.每次排尿量等于排尿后尿垫重量减去排尿前尿垫重量,残余尿量由超声检测仪测得.共观察记录了220例次.结果 每次排尿量、残余尿量、排尿次数、排尿时意识清醒状态百分比在足月儿分别为(19.8±10.9)ml、(1.55±1.01)ml、(7.2±1.9)次、(43.5±26.8)%,而在早产儿则分别为(11.1±7.5)ml、(1.82±0.88)ml、(9.6±2.5)次、(24.7±19.1)%.二组数据相比,早产儿的每次排尿量及排尿时意识清醒状态百分比小于足月儿,残余尿量及排尿次数大于足月儿,均具有统计学差异(P＜0.05).结论 足月儿与早产儿排尿方式明显不同,提示足月儿膀胱功能的发育优于早产儿,早产儿膀胱功能及其受控制的神经系统发育较足月儿明显延迟.

Abstract：

Objective To study the voiding patterns of term and preterm newborns.Methods Between March 2010 and May 2010,26 hospitalized newborns aged 3 to 7 days at this center were recruited in this study.In these patients,12 were term newborns,with an average gestational age of (38.3 ± 1.1 ) weeks,weight of (3.1 ± 0.4) kg,14 were preterm newborns with an average gestational age of (32.5 ± 1.6) weeks,and weight of (1.7 ± 0.4) kg.The voiding volumes (VV),post-void residual volumes (PRV),state of consciousness at voiding,voiding time (VT),voiding frequency (VF)in 12 hours as well as the volume of milk and liquid fed in the same time frame were recorded and analyzed retrospectively.Results In the term newborns,the VV and consciousness voiding rate were significantly higher compared with the preterm newborns [VV and consciousness voiding rate,( 19.8 ±10.9) ml (43.5 ± 26.8%) vs (11.1 ± 7.5) ml (24.7 ± 19.1 %),P＜0.05].However,the PRV and VF were significant lower in term newborns [PRV and VF,(1.55 ± 1.01 ) ml (7.2 ± 1.9) times vs (1.82 ± 0.88) ml (9.6 ± 2.5) times,P＜0.05].Conclusions Incomplete voiding pattern exists in term and preterm newborns.The better urodynamic parameters of the term newborns indicate the term newborns have better mature bladder function than preterm newborns.     

Serum pro-hepcidin levels in term and preterm newborns with sepsis

Background:  An iron regulatory peptide hormone, hepcidin, is also part of the innate immune system and is strongly induced during infections and inflammation. The aim of the present study was to determine serum levels of the 60 aa pro-hormone form of hepcidin (pro-hepcidin) in full-term and preterm newborns with sepsis and to determine the possible relationships between pro-hepcidin levels and serum iron and complete blood count parameters.
Methods:  Fifteen preterm newborns with sepsis, 17 healthy preterm, six full-term newborns with sepsis and 16 healthy full-term newborns were included the study. Blood samples were collected from patients with sepsis at the time of clinical diagnosis. Each blood sample was analyzed for complete blood count, serum iron and ferritin concentrations, iron-binding capacity, and pro-hepcidin level.
Results:  The mean serum pro-hepcidin level (mean ± SD) in preterm neonates with sepsis and in healthy preterm newborns was 565.4 ± 519.5 ng/mL and 279.8 ± 227.6 ng/mL, respectively ( P <  0.05). The mean serum pro-hepcidin level in full-term newborns with sepsis and in healthy full-term neonates was 981.4 ± 415.4 ng/mL and 482 ± 371.9 ng/mL, respectively ( P <  0.05). Although the mean serum ferritin levels in the two groups with sepsis were higher when compared with the healthy groups, the difference was not statistically significant in full-term newborns. No statistically significant correlations were found between serum pro-hepcidin levels and any other parameters in each group.
Conclusions:  Serum pro-hepcidin levels were higher in newborns with sepsis (either premature or full-term) than they were in healthy newborns at the time of clinical diagnosis.     

Serum levels of lysozyme in term and preterm newborns.

Serum lysozyme levels were studied in term babies at the time of delivery and again between 7th and 30th postnatal days, and in preterm babies on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th postnatal days. Levels in term babies at delivery (mean 2.28 mug/ml) were similar to those found in adults, but they fell between the 7th and 30th postnatal days. In premature babies lysozyme levels on the first day of live (mean (0.82 mug/ml) were lower than in term babies. They tended to rise during the first 5 days, by which time they had reached levels found in term babies between the 7th and 30th days. The low lysozyme levels in preterm and in term babies after the first few days of life may contribute to the poor ability of the newborn baby to localize infection and to kill bacteria extracellularly.     

Histidine-rich glycoprotein and plasminogen plasma levels in term and preterm newborns

The newborn's fibrinolytic system is not the same as that in the adult. Hypoplasminogenemia with normal (adult) levels of alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor and plasminogen activator inhibitor are characteristic of the newborn's lytic system. This combination suggests that the newborn may have an impaired lytic system that may explain, in part, the thrombotic events that are frequently observed. Histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRG), another fibrinolytic inhibitor, retards fibrinolysis by interfering with plasminogen's binding to fibrin. Levels of HRG have been reported to be reduced in term newborns. This finding has not been studied recently and to our knowledge, there are no reports of HRG levels in premature infants. The purpose of this study was to measure the plasma levels of HRG and plasminogen in three groups of patients: normal adults (n = 48), normal term newborns (n = 43), and normal premature newborns (n = 18). The protein levels were determined by electroimmunoassay. Cross-immunoelectrophoresis was also performed for HRG. Cord blood was employed for obtaining newborn citrated plasma. The newborns had significantly lower plasminogen and HRG levels when compared with those of the adults. Also, the HRG levels of the premature newborns were lower than those of the term newborns. In conclusion, the newborns had lower levels of HRG than adults, with premature newborns having the lowest levels. This may allow for more plasminogen to be available for fibrin binding even though newborns have hypoplasminogenemia.     

Comparison of sucking patterns at introduction of oral feeding and at term in Israeli and American preterm infants

BACKGROUND: It has been hypothesized that early initiation of oral feeding in premature infants may enhance the maturation of sucking patterns. AIM: To compare preterm infant sucking characteristics in urban level III neonatal care units in the USA and Israel. The two hospitals have different practices regarding the introduction of oral feeding. METHODS: Infants were assessed at 34-35 wk postconceptional age (PCA) and at term. Sucking parameters were assessed with the Kron's Nutritive Sucking Apparatus. RESULTS: 70 infants (38 Americans and 32 Israelis) participated in the study. Oral feedings were initiated earlier (32.6 +/- 4.3 vs 34.5 +/- 1.8 wk PCA, p < 0.01) and full oral feedings were reached earlier (35.4 +/- 2.8 vs 36.5 +/- 2.5 wk PCA, p < 0.05) in the USA infants. American preterm infants produced significantly more sucks (p < 0.001), had a higher suck rate (p < 0.001), more sucks per burst (p < 0.05), and a shorter interburst width (p < 0.01) at 34 wk PCA than Israeli infants. At term, American infants produced significant more sucks (p < 0.001), higher suck rate (p < 0.001), shorter intersuck width (p < 0.001), and a shorter interburst width (p < 0.05) than the Israeli infants of the same PCA. CONCLUSION: Different practices in the care of preterm infants, such as postconceptional age at introduction of oral feeding, may play a role in the development of feeding and feeding organization at term.     

Exhaled and nasal nitric oxide in mechanically ventilated preterm and term newborns

AIM: Nitric oxide (NO) is an important mediator required for neonatal pulmonary circulatory adaptation and for pulmonary defence. Both deficient and excessive NO production have been proposed to play a role in neonatal lung disease. This study aimed to establish a method that allows direct measurement of exhaled and nasal NO concentrations in newborn infants who require intubation and ventilation. METHODS: A rapid-response chemiluminescence NO analyser was used. Gas was sampled from the endotracheal intubation tube, and tidal volumes and flow rates were measured. The nasal NO was sampled from the non-intubated nostril. The accuracy of the method was validated using a lung model. NO levels from six preterm and six term/near-term newborns were studied. Measurements were performed on a daily basis during the first week. RESULTS: An expiration >0.2 s in duration with a flow rate >1.7 ml s(-1) could be accurately analysed for the presence of >1 parts per billion of NO. The very preterm infants with neonatal lung disease had a different postnatal NO output pattern from the lower and upper airways compared with the ventilated term/near-term infants. CONCLUSION: A novel method for measurement of exhaled NO of an intubated newborn is presented. The possible association of exhaled NO concentration with the development of chronic lung disease remains to be studied.     

Minerals and trace elements in infant nutrition

Little information is available on absorption and metabolism of minerals and trace elements during infancy. The lack of data is related to the methodological problems involved in these studies. By using stable isotopes as labels, studies can be conducted in infants without introducing exposure to radiation, or any other risk, and studies on bioavailability of minerals and trace elements during early life can therefore be performed. This paper discusses results from studies of trace element/mineral absorption and metabolism in infants, based on stable isotope techniques.     

Trace element content of breastmilk from mothers of preterm infants in Nigeria

Copper, zinc and iron contents were determined in samples of breastmilk obtained from 15 women who gave birth preterm and 20 women who delivered at term.Copper levels in mothers of preterm babies fell from 0.54 μg/ml in colostrum to 0.30 μg/ml at the eighth week of lactation while the levels in mothers of term babies fell from 0.34 to 0.27 μg/ml. Zinc levels fell from 7.14 to 5.36 μg/ml and from 5.98 to 3.93 μg/ml, respectively. Iron levels fell from 1.05 to 0.70 μg/ml and from 0.56 to 0.43 μg/ml. It appears that breastmilk from mothers giving birth to preterm babies contains significantly higher levels of copper, zinc and iron during the early lactation period when compared to mothers of term babies.     

铁缺乏症早期与微量元素关系

铁缺乏症早期又叫缺铁性RBC生成（IDE）,近年来有关铁缺乏症早期与血清微量元素关系的研究,国内报道很少,我们应用原子吸收分光光度法检测铁缺乏症早期儿童及正常健康儿童血清中铁、锌、铜3种微量元素的含量,探讨铁缺乏症早期与微量元素之间的关系,以便及早发现、及时预防缺铁性贫血的发生,现报告如下。     

Systemic candidiasis and pneumonia in preterm infants

Twenty-two preterm infants with systemic candidiasis are reported, of which seven cases were presumed to be antenatally acquired and 15 postnatally acquired. All except one were of very low birthweight. Fifteen infants had positive cultures of blood, cerebrospinal fluid or urine and seven had candida pneumonia only. Clinical features included general instability, respiratory deterioration and a necrotizing enterocolitis-like presentation. The incidence of leukocytosis, shift to the left, eosinophilia and thrombocytopenia were not different from those with bacterial infection. The diagnosis was made after death in two infants. In the remaining 20 infants, treatment was initiated between 5 and 97 days of age, with a median delay of 4 days after the first positive cultures were taken. Complications of amphotericin and 5-flucytosine therapy which developed in five infants resolved on cessation of treatment. The mortality rate was 18% and impairment rate among the 17 very low birthweight survivors was 18%. A high index of suspicion is required for systemic candidiasis, especially in infants of less than 1000 g birthweight. If recognized early, effective and safe antifungal therapy is possible with favourable short- and long-term outcome.     

Serum pro-hepcidin levels and relationships with iron parameters in healthy preterm and term newborns

A recently isolated peptide hormone, hepcidin, is thought to be the principal regulator of iron homeostasis. Hepcidin acts by limiting intestinal iron absorption and promoting iron retention in reticuloendothelial cells. Its precursor peptide form is called pro-hepcidin. The aims of this study were to determine serum pro-hepcidin levels in healthy preterm and term newborns, and to assess possible relationships between pro-hepcidin and serum iron, serum ferritin, and transferrin. A serum sample was collected from each of 26 healthy preterm (gestational age < 37 weeks) and 16 healthy, full-term, appropriate-for-gestational age babies. The preterm babies were also divided into 2 subgroups based on gestational age. Samples were analyzed for complete blood count, serum iron and ferritin concentrations, iron-binding capacity, and transferrin and pro-hepcidin levels. Group findings were compared and correlations between pro-hepcidin and the iron parameters were tested. The respective serum pro-hepcidin levels (mean +/- SD) in the 16 healthy term and 26 healthy preterm newborns were 482 +/- 371.9 ng/mL and 496.7 +/- 443.5 ng/mL. Analysis revealed no significant correlations between serum pro-hepcidin level and serum iron, serum ferritin, or transferrin in the preterm or term newborns. Pro-hepcidin levels were not correlated with gestational age in the preterm group. The results indicate that healthy preterm and term newborns have high pro-hepcidin levels.