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Updated: May 18, 2026
09:28
One-step Metabolomics: Carbohydrates, Organic and Amino Acids Quantified in a Single Procedure
Published on: June 25, 2010
Urinary metabolomics in newborns and infants
Vassilios Fanos1, Roberto Antonucci, Luigi Barberini
1Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Puericulture Institute and Neonatal Section, Department of Surgery, University of Cagliari, Italy.
Advances in Clinical Chemistry
|September 7, 2012
Summary
Metabolomics, the study of metabolites, offers a promising approach to understand neonatal metabolic status. This technique aids in monitoring development and diagnosing diseases in newborns, potentially improving care for sick or preterm infants.
Area of Science:
- Metabolomics and Neonatal Medicine
Background:
- The metabolic status of neonates is not well understood, hindering optimal care for sick or preterm infants.
- Metabolomics, the study of the complete set of metabolites, provides insights into biological systems.
- Existing research has explored metabolomic profiles in pediatric populations, but neonatology applications are nascent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the potential of metabolomics in understanding neonatal metabolic maturation and disease.
- To underscore the value of metabolomics in improving the management of neonatal conditions.
Main Methods:
- Metabolomics involves experimental profiling of low-molecular-weight compounds using techniques like nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy or mass spectrometry.
- Multivariate data analysis is applied to interpret the complex metabolic data.
- Urine and blood are investigated as biofluids for metabolomic analysis in neonates.
Main Results:
- Metabolomic analysis has been successfully applied in various fields including physiology, diagnostics, and pharmacology.
- Studies have investigated metabolomic profiles in neonates related to postnatal maturation, hypoxia, inborn errors of metabolism, nutrition, and cardiovascular diseases.
- Urine is identified as a suitable biofluid due to its noninvasive collection and diagnostic potential.
Conclusions:
- Metabolomics, alongside genomics and proteomics, is a powerful tool for neonatal research.
- It aids in monitoring metabolic maturation, identifying early disease biomarkers, and personalizing treatment for neonates.
- This approach promises to enhance diagnostic capabilities and patient management in neonatology.
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