The postnatal changes in red blood cell NO levels.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the levels of RBC HbSNO and HbFe(II)NO using chemiluminescence in very low birth weight infants breathing room air, during the first 2 days of life.


METHODS
RBC NO values were compared to the levels obtained in cord blood at birth from infants of similar gestational age. Five infants ranging from 25 to 27 weeks of gestation were sampled between 12 and 24 h after birth. These infants were considered as the postnatal group and had normal blood gases at room air.


RESULTS
The HbSNO levels were increased in the postnatal group from 49.0 +/- 17.4 nm to 152.3 +/- 54.3 nm (p = 0.0006). There was no difference in HbFe(II)NO levels between the two groups (mean of 267.6 +/- 186.5 nm in cord blood and 180.3 +/- 89.2 nm in the postnatal sample.


CONCLUSIONS
The increase in HbSNO postnatally could be an important mechanism for the neonatal pulmonary adaptation to extra-uterine life.
Bard
Harry
H
Neonatal Service, Pediatric Department, CHU Sainte-Justine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. harry.bard@umontreal.ca
Bellemin
Karine
K
Gagnon
Carmen
C
D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight / Q000097:blood*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000097:blood*
D009569:Nitric Oxide