High microparticle concentration in cord plasma.
We investigated if differences in the microparticle concentration and activity between newborn cord plasma and adult plasma exist.


METHODS
To enumerate and characterize microparticles (MP) FACS and ELISA were used.The effect of microparticles derived tissue factor (TF) on thrombin generation was measured indirectly by CAT (calibrated automated thrombography).


RESULTS
The flow cytometric measurements revealed an increased microparticle concentration in newborn cord compared with adult plasma. By the use of ELISA a significantly increased procoagulant activity of microparticles was found in newborn cord plasma as compared to adult plasma. Initiation of thrombin generation by adding phospholipids alone resulted in a significant lower prolongation of the lag time, time to peak in cord plasma, while the decrease of endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) and peak was comparable between newborns and adults.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results show a higher impact of microparticles on the haemostatic system of newborns than on that of adults. The three methods suggest a somewhat increased microparticle activity in newborn cord plasma, but argue against strong platelet activation during birth.
Department of Paediatrics, Medical University of Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 30, 8036 Graz, Austria. wolfgang.muntean@meduni-graz.at
S
S
Schweintzger
A
A
Schlagenhauf
B
B
Rinner
H
H
Bernhard
M
M
Novak
B
B
Leschnik
W
W
Muntean
D000328:Adult; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000379:methods; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology; D005434:Flow Cytometry / Q000379:methods; D006487:Hemostasis; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010949:Plasma / Q000737:chemistry*; D015539:Platelet Activation