Reference range for micronutrients and nutritional marker proteins in cord blood of neonates appropriated for gestational ages.
BACKGROUND
Reference values of numerous micronutrients at different gestational ages (GA) have not been yet reported based on large series.


OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to establish the reference range for zinc, copper, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin E, retinol binding protein, transthyretin, albumin, transferrin and ceruloplasmin in neonates and to give the profiles according to gestational age.


METHODS
A total of 510 infants appropriate for gestational age were included in the study. The determinations were done using the serum cord blood of 262 term and 248 preterm infants (gestational age of 37 to 42 and 26 to 36 weeks, respectively).


RESULTS
All nutrients correlated significantly with birth weight and gestational age but different patterns were highlighted. Vitamin A, retinol binding protein and prealbumin showed a triphasic pattern with a cut-off at about 36 to 39 weeks. In this period, these parameters rised significantly (P<0.001). Albumin and selenium showed a biphasic pattern with a significant positive correlation (P<0.001) between weeks 26 to 38. Transferrin and ceruloplasmin associated with copper showed a continuous increase with GA (P<0.001). On the opposite, zinc and vitamin E decreased. Zinc showed a biphasic pattern with a significant negative correlation (P<0.001) between the 26th to 34th weeks. Vitamin E presented a triphasic pattern with a cut-off at about 32 to 35 weeks (P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The large number of data allow the build-up of reference ranges and charts for the evaluation of micronutrients and proteins in high-risk neonates.
Galinier
Anne
A
Department of Biochemistry, CHU Hôpital Purpan, TSA40031, 31059 Toulouse Cedex, France.
Périquet
Brigitte
B
Lambert
Willy
W
Garcia
Jésus
J
Assouline
Corinne
C
Rolland
Michel
M
Thouvenot
Jean-Paul
JP
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001724:Birth Weight; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000097:blood*; D012016:Reference Values
D015415:Biomarkers; D001798:Blood Proteins; D018977:Micronutrients