Plasma protein Z levels in healthy and high-risk newborn infants.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate plasma protein Z (PZ) levels in healthy and high-risk newborn infants.


METHODS
A longitudinal observational study was conducted. Inclusion criteria were: healthy term and preterm newborns normal for gestational age and newborns belonging to one of the following groups: newborns small for gestational age (SGA), newborns affected by respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), newborns from mothers with pre-eclampsia. Newborns with sepsis, congenital malformation or haemorrhagic disorders were excluded. Plasma PZ levels, protein C (PC) concentration, PC activity and protein-induced vitamin K absence levels were measured.


RESULTS
53 newborns were enrolled into the study. PZ and PC antigen levels varied significantly among analysed subgroups on day 1 (p < 0.01): lower levels of these inhibitors were found in RDS newborns (group C), newborns from mothers affected by pre-eclampsia (group D) and SGA newborns (group E) than in healthy term and preterm newborns (groups A and B).


CONCLUSIONS
PZ deficiency occurs in newborns affected by severe RDS, in newborns from pre-eclamptic mothers and in SGA newborns, probably owing to activated coagulation in the first two conditions and to reduced PZ synthesis in the last condition.
Schettini
F
F
Dipartimento di Biomedicina dell'Età Evolutiva, Sezione di Neonatologia e Terapia Intensiva Neonatale, University of Bari, Italy. schettini@bioetau.uniba.it
Laforgia
N
N
Altomare
M
M
Mautone
A
A
Del Vecchio
G C
GC
D001034:Apgar Score; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001724:Birth Weight; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000097:blood; D011516:Prothrombin; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000097:blood*; D012307:Risk Factors
D015415:Biomarkers; D001798:Blood Proteins; D011498:Protein Precursors; C026080:plasma protein Z; C008208:acarboxyprothrombin; D011516:Prothrombin