Increase in 3-methylhistidine in umbilical cord blood from acidotic fetuses.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the hypothesis that acidotic fetuses at birth have an increased catabolic state characterized by a negative nitrogen balance.


METHODS
Umbilical cord blood samples were obtained from a random, prospective series of fetuses at birth. Acidotic samples (pH < 7.20) were matched with normals (pH > or = 7.20) according to maternal and gestational age. 3-Methylhistidine was analyzed in order to assess catabolic breakdown of muscle protein.


RESULTS
3-Methylhistidine was significantly increased (P < .05) in cord blood from acidotic fetuses when compared with controls and correlated negatively (P < .05) with umbilical arterial pH.


CONCLUSIONS
Umbilical cord blood 3-methylhistidine may be used to assess fetal nitrogen balance; acidotic fetuses have increased muscle catabolism.
Garry
David
D
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York, USA.
Kokturk
Tolga
T
Figueroa
Reinaldo
R
Maulik
Dev
D
Powell
Saul R
SR
D000138:Acidosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008423:Maternal Age; D008762:Methylhistidines / Q000097:blood*; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011897:Random Allocation; D012307:Risk Factors
D008762:Methylhistidines; C028118:3-methylhistidine; D009584:Nitrogen