[Haptoglobin levels in premature infants]

A group of 30 preterm babies with no evidence of infections was investigated. They were separated in 3 groups according to the gestational age. In the first group, which included babies 28 to 32 weeks of gestational age, haptoglobin was detected in 5, but in 3, levels were under 25 mg/dl. In the second group, which consisted of babies of 33 to 36 weeks of gestational age, haptoglobin was detected in 6 infants, with levels less than 25 mg/dl in 3. Finally, in the group of babies of 37 to 40 weeks, haptoglobin was presented in 7. Haptoglobin was detected in 18 infants, which means in 60% of patients. Levels of haptoglobin were lower in babies of lower gestational age. Values obtained for haptoglobin levels in this study will be used in diagnostic purposes, for comparation with levels obtained in various pathological conditions.