Haemostatic profile of healthy premature small for gestational age neonates.
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.
Mitsiakos
George
G
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
Giougi
Evaggelia
E
Chatziioannidis
Ilias
I
Karagianni
Paraskevi
P
Papadakis
Emmanouil
E
Tsakalidis
Christos
C
Papaioannou
Georgia
G
Malindretos
Pavlos
P
Nikolaidis
Nikolaos
N
D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests; D005260:Female; D006487:Hemostasis; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D008297:Male