'Haptoglobin concentrations in preterm and term newborns'.
OBJECTIVE
To measure systemic haptoglobin (HPT) concentrations from birth in preterm (PT) and T newborns. To compare HPT in newborns without hemolysis or infection with values in bacteremic newborns.


METHODS
HPT was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 30 PT and 28 T newborns without hemolysis or infection at birth (cord blood), on days of life 2 to 4, and at 1 to 2 weeks of life. Concentrations were measured in eight additional newborns with bacteremia. Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test was used for comparisons.


RESULTS
HPT concentrations were consistently measurable from birth in PT and T neonates. Values were significantly greater in 2- to 4-day-old PT and T newborns than in newborns at birth (P<0.01). Bacteremic newborns had higher HPT concentrations than newborns without infection (P=0.033).


CONCLUSIONS
HPT is detectable from birth in PT and T newborns. HPT concentrations increase in bacteremic newborns. HPT levels may have clinical utility in the evaluation of neonatal sepsis.
Department of Pediatrics, Section of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA. Susana-Chavez-Bueno@ouhsc.edu
S
S
Chavez-Bueno
J A
JA
Beasley
J M
JM
Goldbeck
B C
BC
Bright
D J
DJ
Morton
P W
PW
Whitby
T L
TL
Stull
D016470:Bacteremia / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004198:Disease Susceptibility / Q000097:blood; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006242:Haptoglobins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000097:blood*; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D047929:Term Birth / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D006242:Haptoglobins