Nitric oxide metabolites in the urine of full-term and preterm infants.
BACKGROUND
In newborn full-term and preterm infants the urine nitrites and nitrates (NOx) were measured, in order to investigate the effects of different pathological conditions (infection, hypoxia) on systemic nitric oxide production.


METHODS
Urine nitrites and nitrates were determined by means of the Griess reaction, after reduction of nitrates to nitrites with nitrate reductase.


RESULTS
The NOx level was higher in preterm (278 nmol/mL) than full-term (176 nmol/mL) infants. Low NOx (115 nmol/mL) levels accompanied generalized infections, while its high contents (650 nmol/mL) was found in cytomegalovirus and one case of Pneumocystis carinii infection. Moderate increase of NOx production was observed in infants with local pulmonary infections and encephalopathies.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate urinary NOx level is lowered in infants with life-threatening generalized infection. A possibility of a rapid test based on newborn urinary NOx level determination is considered.
Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warszawa, Poland. rode@nencki.gov.pl
Jolanta M
JM
Dzik
Anna
A
Dobrzańska
Dariusz
D
Gruszfeld
Elzbieta
E
Walajtys-Rode
D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000652:urine*; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D009566:Nitrates / Q000652:urine; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D009573:Nitrites / Q000652:urine
D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites; D009569:Nitric Oxide