title: Umbilical plasma erythropoietin correlations with blood gases and gestational age in appropriately grown infants.
abstract: Erythropoietin (EPO) levels were measured using an ELISA method in umbilical cord plasma from 68 appropriately grown neonates at 27 to 43 weeks of gestation (EGA). A consistent but small (5%) difference was found between the EPO levels in the umbilical artery (Ua), 21.0 +/- 2.5 mlU/mL (mean +/- SEM), and umbilical vein (Uv), 22.0 +/- 2.7 mlU/mL (p < 0.02, n = 30). Significant inverse correlations were found between Ua EPO levels and pO2 (r = -0.44, p < 0.002), pH (r = -0.68, p < 0.0001), as well as base deficit (r = -0.56, p < 0.0001). A significant correlation was found between EGA and Ua EPO from 27 to 43 weeks of gestation (r = 0.45, p < 0.001, n = 68). One and 5 minute Apgar scores did not correlate with EPO. These findings indicate that EPO correlates strongly with cord gas parameters and thus may serve as a clinically useful marker for both subacute fetal distress and chronic uteroplacental insufficiency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of South Florida Colege of Medicine, Tampa 33606, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jazayeri
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Tsibris
authors.forename: L T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.forename: W N
authors.initials: WN
authors.lastname: Spellacy
mesh_terms: D001034:Apgar Score; D001724:Birth Weight; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000097:blood*; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D012016:Reference Values
chemical_list: D004921:Erythropoietin; D010100:Oxygen