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Analyses of serum vitamin D-binding protein, ceruloplasmin and copper levels in preterm infants
H Paşaoğlu1, S Kurtoğlu, S Muhtaroğlu
1Department of Biochemistry, Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine, Kayseri.
Insights
Preterm infants show lower levels of vitamin-D binding protein, ceruloplasmin, and copper in cord blood compared to term infants. These nutrient levels did not correlate between preterm and term groups.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Biochemistry
- Pediatric Nutrition
Background:
- Cord blood analysis provides insights into fetal development and nutritional status.
- Preterm birth is associated with various physiological challenges and potential nutritional deficiencies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare serum levels of key nutrients and proteins in preterm versus term infants.
- To investigate the relationship between specific nutrient levels in preterm and term neonates.
Main Methods:
- Cord blood samples were collected from 12 preterm and 20 term infants.
- Serum concentrations of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), vitamin-D binding protein (DBP), ceruloplasmin (Cp), and copper (Cu) were measured.
Main Results:
- No significant differences were observed in serum Ca, P, and Mg levels between the two groups.
- Significantly lower levels of DBP, Cp, and Cu were found in cord blood of preterm infants compared to term infants (p < 0.05).
- Serum Cu and Cp levels in preterm infants showed a correlation with those in term infants.
Conclusions:
- Preterm neonates exhibit reduced levels of vitamin-D binding protein, ceruloplasmin, and copper at birth.
- These findings suggest potential nutritional or developmental differences impacting these specific biomarkers in preterm infants.
- Further research is warranted to explore the clinical implications of these altered levels.
Abstract:
The cord blood specimens of 12 preterm and 20 term babies were investigated. We determined serum calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), vitamin-D binding protein (DBP), ceruloplasmin (Cp) and copper (Cu) levels in two groups. We found that Ca, P, and MG levels of cord sera did not differ between the groups (p > 0.05), but DBP, Cp and Cu values showed a significant decrease in the preterm group (p < 0.05). The Cu and Cp values of the preterm infants correlated with those of the term infants.