Assessment of endogenous nitric oxide formation in newborns: measurement of urinary nitrite and nitrate concentrations.
We measured the urinary nitrite and nitrate (NOx-) excretion, an index of endogenous nitric oxide formation, in term and preterm newborns on the 1st and 4th days of age. In the infants of both groups, the urinary NOx- excretion significantly increased from the 1st to the 4th day. The urinary NOx- excretion in preterm infants was significantly higher as compared with term babies on both days. Furthermore, the urinary NOx- excretion was significantly elevated in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome as compared with those without cardiopulmonary complications on the 4th day. These changes of urinary NOx- excretion in newborns strongly suggest the presence of an active physiological role for nitric oxide in the circulatory adaptation to extrauterine life.
Tsukahara
H
H
Department of Pediatrics, Fukui Medical School, Japan.
Takeuchi
M
M
Hata
I
I
Hiraoka
M
M
Kotsuji
F
F
Sudo
M
M
Mayumi
M
M
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D009566:Nitrates / Q000652:urine*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009573:Nitrites / Q000652:urine*
D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites; D009569:Nitric Oxide