title: [Measurement of umbilical activin A level in preterm infants].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the clinical significance of umbilical activin A in preterm infants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-one preterm infants (gestation 28 to 36 weeks) were enrolled. Fetal membranes, umbilical cords and blood samples from umbilical vein were obtained. Umbilical activin A level was measured using ELISA. The histological examinations of fetal membranes and umbilical cords were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The umbilical level of activin A averaged 2069 pg/mL in the 41 preterm infants. The umbilical activin A level in the 5 infants with intrauterine infection was higher than in those without intrauterine infection (2510 pg/mL vs 1975 pg/mL; P<0.01). Umbilical activin A level at cutoff of 2490 pg/mL showed a sensitivity of 80.0% and a specificity of 90.6% as a marker of intrauterine infection. There were no significant differences in the umbilical activin A level between the infants with and without respiratory distress syndrome. Umbilical activin A level was positively correlated with the duration of postnatal oxygen therapy (r=0.326, P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Umbilical activin A may serve a marker of intrauterine infection in preterm infants. The umbilical activin A level is correlated with the duration of postnatal oxygen therapy.
authors: Department of Neonatology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
authors: Ying
authors: Y
authors: Zhong
authors: Juan
authors: J
authors: Li
authors: Ke-Lun
authors: KL
authors: Wei
mesh_terms: D028341:Activins / Q000097:blood*; D002821:Chorioamnionitis / Q000097:blood; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: C422405:activin A; D028341:Activins