title: Changes in lysosomal hydrolases from cord blood of vigorous and asphyxiated Nigerian newborn infants.
abstract: The activities of lysosomal hydrolases, beta-glucuronidase and acid phosphatase, were assayed in cord sera from forty-seven non asphyxiated babies and eleven babies who were severely asphyxiated at birth. Significant changes of these enzymes were observed in cord serum. Compared to the control group, serum beta glucuronidase (determined at pH 4.5 using fluorogenic substrate, 4-methyl-umbelliferyl-B-D glucuronide) was 2.2 fold higher (P less than 0.01) in the asphyxiated babies. Similarly, serum acid phosphatase activity estimated by using 4-methyl-umbelliferyl-phosphate was 1.8 fold higher (P less than 0.01) in asphyxia neonatorum. The clinical relevance of this finding lies in its ultimate application, using the lysosomal hydrolase activity in scalp blood sample to evaluate objectively the foetal well-being.
mesh_terms: D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000097:blood*; D001238:Asphyxia Neonatorum / Q000201:enzymology*; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000201:enzymology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D009549:Nigeria
chemical_list: D000135:Acid Phosphatase; D005966:Glucuronidase