title: Plasma prostacyclin from birth to adolescence.
abstract: The plasma concentration of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha), the stable hydration product of prostacyclin, was measured by radioimmunoassay in 111 healthy children aged between 1 day and 16 years and in 21 healthy adults aged between 21 and 72 years. The 6-keto-PGF1 alpha levels in children up to age 16 years were higher than those in adults. During the first 4 days of life the plasma concentrations of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in term infants were higher (P less than 0.05) than the respective levels in preterm infants. There was no difference between the 6-keto-PGF1 alpha levels measured simultaneously in umbilical arterial and peripheral venous plasma in 7 newborn infants. Maternal pre-eclampsia or epidural analgesia during labour, mode of delivery, birthweight, or sex of the infants were not related to the plasma 6-keto-PGF1 alpha levels on the first day of life. High levels of vasodilatory and anti-aggregatory prostacyclin during the first days of life may play a role in the postnatal adaptation of the circulation and platelet function.
mesh_terms: D015121:6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha / Q000097:blood; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D011453:Prostaglandins; D015121:6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha; D011464:Epoprostenol