title: Haemostatic profile of healthy premature small for gestational age neonates.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The pathogenetic profile of premature Small for Gestational Age (SGA) neonates is strongly related to their haemostatic equilibrium, which is inadequately understood.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate coagulation and fibrinolysis in premature SGA neonates before intervening with Vitamin K administration.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a comparison of coagulation, natural inhibitors and fibrinolysis between SGA and Appropriate for Gestational Age (AGA) infants born prematurely [gestational age (G.A.) <37 weeks]. Study population consisted of 139 preterm newborns, 68 of whom were SGA (25 males and 43 females), while 71 were AGA (37 males and 34 females) that consisted the control group. Blood samples were obtained within 30 minutes following birth and before the administration of vitamin K. Investigation included: PT, INR, APTT, fibrinogen, coagulation factors II, V, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, von Willebrand factor, protein C and free protein S, antithrombin (AT), APCR, tPA and PAI-1. The independent t-test and the Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare the differences between the values of haemostatic parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Premature SGA infants presented significantly lower levels of fibrinogen (p<0.029) and higher levels of VIIIc factor, APCR, tPA and PAI-1 (p<0.041, 0.017, 0.021 and 0.019 respectively). The two groups had similar demographic characteristics (except from birth weight), without significant differences in the values of other haemostatic parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the statistically significant differentiation in the levels of fibrinogen, VIIIc factor, APCR, tPA and PAI-1, the rest of haemostatic parameters have similar values between SGA and AGA preterms.
authors.affiliation: 2nd NICU and Nueonatology Department of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, G.P.N. Papageorgiou, Ring Road Nea Efkarpia, T.K. 56403 Thessaloniki, Greece. mga@otenet.gr
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mitsiakos
authors.forename: Evaggelia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giougi
authors.forename: Ilias
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Chatziioannidis
authors.forename: Paraskevi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Karagianni
authors.forename: Emmanouil
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Papadakis
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tsakalidis
authors.forename: Georgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Papaioannou
authors.forename: Pavlos
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Malindretos
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nikolaidis
mesh_terms: D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests; D005260:Female; D006487:Hemostasis; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D008297:Male