Serum Aquaporin-1 and 3 Levels in Term Newborns

To evaluate the serum concentrations of Aquaporin 1-3, which are thought to be critical modulators of water transfer, and risk factors affecting them in neonates.

This prospective study was conducted in term neonates in a research hospital, from October 2023 to October 2024. Demographic data of infants and mothers were collected and high risk neonates were excluded. The neonates were divided into three groups based on birth weight percentiles as small for gestational age, appropriate for gestational age, and large for gestational age. Umbilical cord blood samples were obtained by umbilical artery puncture and blood gases, hemoglobin, Na, K, Cl, glucose, insulin, Aquaporin 1-3 were measured. The relationship between Aquaporin levels and risk factors was analyzed.

A total of 85 healthy term neonates were included in our study. The mean gestational age and birth weight of infants were found as 38.2 ± 1.1 weeks and 3245 ± 749 g. The mean Aquaporin 1-3 levels for all infants were found as 11.1 ± 5.6 and 22.8 ± 11.6 ng/ml, respectively. There was a strong correlation between Aquaporin 1-3 levels (r = 0.769). No significant difference was found in Aquaporin levels in terms of birth weights, but Aquaporin 1 levels of infants born by cesarean section were significantly higher than those born vaginally (p = 0.02).

In this study, we determined serum Aquaporin 1-3 levels in term neonates and found that serum levels increased in cesarean-born infants, especially Aquaporin 1. These results provide preliminary reference values for serum Aquaporin 1-3 in term neonates and suggests a possible association with the mode of delivery.