Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

Instrumentation of Near-term Fetal Sheep for Multivariate Chronic Non-anesthetized Recordings
14:40

Instrumentation of Near-term Fetal Sheep for Multivariate Chronic Non-anesthetized Recordings

Published on: October 25, 2015

Cord blood calcium, phosphate, magnesium, and alkaline phosphatase gestational age-specific reference intervals for

Tanis R Fenton1, Andrew W Lyon, M Sarah Rose

  • 1Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, 3280 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. tanisfenton@shaw.ca

BMC Pediatrics
|September 3, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Gestational age and maternal/neonatal factors influence cord blood mineral levels in infants. Developing specific reference intervals is crucial for accurate assessment in preterm infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Pediatric Biochemistry
  • Clinical Chemistry

Background:

  • Cord blood bone mineral and related laboratory test reference intervals are essential for neonatal health assessment.
  • Existing reference intervals may not adequately account for gestational age and other influential factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the influence of gestational age, maternal, and neonatal variables on cord blood bone minerals (calcium, phosphate, magnesium) and related laboratory tests.
  • To develop gestational age-specific reference intervals for cord blood analytes in infants without pathological conditions.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study of 702 infants, with exclusions for anomalies, asphyxia, and maternal magnesium sulfate administration.
  • Multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine relationships between cord blood analytes and gestational age, maternal, and neonatal variables.
  • Gestational age-specific reference intervals were developed for infants in categories: 23-27, 28-31, 32-34, 35-36, and > 36 weeks.

Main Results:

  • Phosphate, magnesium, and alkaline phosphatase decreased with gestational age, while calcium increased.
  • Triplet status, small for gestational age, and maternal pregnancy-induced hypertension significantly influenced most analytes.
  • Reference ranges for infants ≥ 36 weeks were established for phosphate, calcium, albumin-adjusted calcium, magnesium, and alkaline phosphatase.

Conclusions:

  • Gestational age is a significant factor in cord blood mineral and related laboratory test reference intervals.
  • Maternal and neonatal variables, including pathological conditions, should be considered when establishing reference intervals for preterm infants.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Application of an Amplitude-integrated EEG Monitor (Cerebral Function Monitor) to Neonates05:58

Application of an Amplitude-integrated EEG Monitor (Cerebral Function Monitor) to Neonates

Published on: September 6, 2017

The 4-vessel Sampling Approach to Integrative Studies of Human Placental Physiology In Vivo12:17

The 4-vessel Sampling Approach to Integrative Studies of Human Placental Physiology In Vivo

Published on: August 2, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Roles of Electrolytes: Calcium and Phosphate01:27

Roles of Electrolytes: Calcium and Phosphate

Calcium and phosphate are essential electrolytes in the human body, with calcium being the most abundant mineral. Around 99% of the body's calcium is stored in the skeleton and teeth, forming a crystal lattice of mineral salts in combination with phosphates. Calcium plays crucial roles in various bodily functions such as blood clotting, neurotransmitter release, muscle tone maintenance, and nervous and muscle tissue excitability.
The calcium concentration in blood plasma is primarily regulated...
Introduction to Electrolytes01:33

Introduction to Electrolytes

In humans, electrolytes play a vital role in various physiological processes. Balancing electrolyte levels is essential for normal body functions; their imbalance can be life-threatening. The major electrolytes include sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, phosphate, and bicarbonate. They are primarily involved in physiological processes, such as nerve signal transmission, membrane trafficking, muscle contraction, buffering body fluids, and balancing water levels in the body.
Role of Sodium
One...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution01:17

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution

Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight, compared...
Teratogenicity01:07

Teratogenicity

The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis01:21

Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis

Calcium is not only the most abundant mineral in bone but also the most abundant mineral in the human body. Calcium ions are needed for bone mineralization, tooth health, heart rate regulation and strength of contraction, blood coagulation, the contraction of smooth and skeletal muscle cells, and the regulation of nerve impulse conduction. The average calcium level in the blood is about 10 mg/dL. When the body cannot maintain this level, a person will experience hypo or hypercalcemia.
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...