Haemostatic profile of healthy premature small for gestational age neonates

Background

The pathogenetic profile of premature Small for Gestational Age (SGA) neonates is strongly related to their haemostatic equilibrium, which is inadequately understood.

Objective

To evaluate coagulation and fibrinolysis in premature SGA neonates before intervening with Vitamin K administration.

Study design

We performed a comparison of coagulation, natural inhibitors and fibrinolysis between SGA and Appropriate for Gestational Age (AGA) infants born prematurely [gestational age (G.A.) < 37 weeks]. Study population consisted of 139 preterm newborns, 68 of whom were SGA (25 males and 43 females), while 71 were AGA (37 males and 34 females) that consisted the control group. Blood samples were obtained within 30 minutes following birth and before the administration of vitamin K. Investigation included: PT, INR, APTT, fibrinogen, coagulation factors II, V, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, vWillebrand factor, protein C and free protein S, antithrombin (AT), APCR, tPA and PAI-1. The independent t-test and the Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare the differences between the values of haemostatic parameters.

Results

Premature SGA infants presented significantly lower levels of fibrinogen (p < 0.029) and higher levels of VIIIc factor, APCR, tPA and PAI-1 (p < 0.041, 0.017, 0.021 and 0.019 respectively). The two groups had similar demographic characteristics (except from birth weight), without significant differences in the values of other haemostatic parameters.

Conclusions

Despite the statistically significant differentiation in the levels of fibrinogen, VIIIc factor, APCR, tPA and PAI-1, the rest of haemostatic parameters have similar values between SGA and AGA preterms.