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[Endogenous digoxin-like substance (nonspecific interference or a new hormone?)]
Ceskoslovenska Pediatrie
|February 1, 1989
Summary
Neonates exhibit higher endogenous digoxin-like substance (ESPD) levels, particularly premature infants. This suggests ESPD may function as a natriuretic hormone, influencing renal sodium excretion in newborns.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Neonatal Physiology
- Endocrinology
Context:
- Digitalis therapy is not administered to neonates or parturient women.
- Endogenous digoxin-like substance (ESPD) levels are measured in serum and urine.
- Umbilical cord blood is compared with maternal venous blood.
Purpose:
- To assess changes in serum and urinary ESPD in healthy neonates and parturient women.
- To investigate the relationship between gestational age and ESPD levels.
- To explore the potential role of ESPD as a natriuretic hormone.
Summary:
- Higher ESPD concentrations in umbilical cord blood compared to maternal blood suggest neonatal secretory autonomy.
- ESPD levels are highest in neonates born before 34 weeks gestation and decrease with advancing age.
- A positive correlation between sodium excretion and renal ESPD excretion in premature infants supports its role as an endogenous inhibitor of Na+, K+-ATPase.
Impact:
- Provides evidence for the secretory autonomy of the neonatal organism.
- Suggests ESPD plays a role in regulating renal sodium excretion in neonates.
- Supports the hypothesis that ESPD is a circulating endogenous natriuretic hormone.