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Updated: Jun 20, 2026
11:02
Identification and Quantification of Deranged Metabolites in Critically Ill Patients Using NMR-Based Metabolomics
Published on: November 29, 2024
Metabolomics: a new tool for the neonatologist
Luigi Atzori1, Roberto Antonucci, Luigi Barberini
1Department of Toxicology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy. latzori@unica.it
Summary
Metabolomics, a powerful tool, analyzes metabolites in urine for neonatal health. This non-invasive approach aids in diagnosing diseases and monitoring infant development.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Neonatology
- Systems Biology
Background:
- Metabolomics offers a comprehensive view of physiological states.
- Urine is an ideal non-invasive sample for metabolomic analysis, especially in neonates.
- Current understanding of neonatal metabolic status is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the overall metabolic status of term and preterm neonates using urine metabolomics.
- To explore the potential of urine metabolomics in monitoring neonatal metabolic maturation.
- To identify early biomarkers for predicting neonatal outcomes and tailoring disorder management.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing common metabolomic analytical techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.
- Employing urine as the primary biological sample due to its non-invasive collection properties.
- Applying metabolomic analysis to assess the metabolic profile of neonates.
Main Results:
- Metabolomic analysis of urine can assess the metabolic status of term and preterm neonates.
- Urine metabolomics holds promise for monitoring postnatal metabolic maturation.
- This approach can aid in identifying predictive biomarkers for neonatal outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Urine metabolomics is a valuable non-invasive tool for neonatal medicine.
- It can significantly improve the clinical management of neonates by providing insights into maturation processes.
- Metabolomics, alongside transcriptomics and proteomics, will advance diagnostics, therapeutics, and drug development in neonatology.
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