Measurement of umbilical activin A level in preterm infants.
- Author:
Ying ZHONG
1
;
Juan LI
;
Ke-Lun WEI
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Activins; blood; Chorioamnionitis; blood; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Fetal Blood; chemistry; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature; blood; Male; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; blood
- From: Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2011;13(10):776-779
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical significance of umbilical activin A in preterm infants.
METHODSForty-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.
RESULTSThe 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).
CONCLUSIONSUmbilical 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.
