Alkaline phosphatase as an early marker of hemolysis in newborns.
BACKGROUND
Early diagnosis and appropriate management of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia are very important in order to prevent bilirubin encephalopathy and kernicterus. Several diagnostic tests may be used for this purpose, including bilirubin level itself. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), which is an intracellular enzyme found abundantly in red blood cells, could be used for the early diagnosis and prediction of hyperbilirubinemia in newborns.


METHODS
A total of 100 babies were evaluated, starting from the sixth hour after birth, and serum ALP and bilirubin levels were analyzed.


RESULTS
ALP levels were significantly higher in babies requiring therapy such as phototherapy or exchange transfusion (247.01 ± 67.44 IU/L vs 154.25 ± 56.07 IU/L). ALP levels rose significantly with rising total bilirubin level.


CONCLUSIONS
ALP levels at the sixth hour of life may be a significant predictor of developing hemolysis and hyperbilirubinemia requiring treatment.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Zeynep Kamil Maternity and Children's Education and Training Hospital, Üsküdar, Istanbul, Turkey.
Ayşin
A
Nalbantoğlu
Fahri
F
Ovali
Burçin
B
Nalbantoğlu
D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006461:Hemolysis; D006801:Humans; D051556:Hyperbilirubinemia, Neonatal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
D015415:Biomarkers; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase