The thrombopoietin level in the cord blood in premature infants born to mothers with pregnancy-induced hypertension.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the level of thrombopoietin in the cord blood of preterm infants, and its relationship with neonatal platelet count and pregnancy-induced hypertension.


METHODS
Thrombopoietin levels in the cord blood of preterm neonates, with or without maternal pregnancy-induced hypertension, were measured by enzmye-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
The platelet count was significantly lower in very low birth weight infants, infants with maternal pregnancy-induced hypertension, and infants with maternal thrombocytopenia. Neonatal thrombocytopenia was associated with maternal pregnancy-induced hypertension and very low birth weight. The neonatal platelet count was correlated significantly with the birth weight and the maternal platelet count. There was no difference in the cord blood level of thrombopoietin between infants born to mothers with pregnancy-induced hypertension and those without. No correlation was found between the thrombopoietin level and the neonatal platelet count. A positive correlation between the cord blood thrombopoietin and the maternal platelet count was identified.


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal pregnancy-induced hypertension and very low birth weight were significantly associated with thrombocytopenia in premature infants, which cannot be explained by decreased thrombopoietin level.
Tsao
Po-Nien
PN
Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. tsaopn@ha.mc.ntu.edu.tw
Teng
Ru-Jeng
RJ
Chou
Hung-Chieh
HC
Tsou
Kuo-Inn
KI
D001724:Birth Weight; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000097:blood*; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight / Q000097:blood; D010976:Platelet Count; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000097:blood*; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000453:epidemiology; D013926:Thrombopoietin / Q000097:blood*
D013926:Thrombopoietin