[Data on the kinetics of action of heparin in the newborn]

The authors investigated the role of antithrombin III in the newborn period. In this connection, the level of antithrombin III (activity and antigen concentration) even in mature healthy newborns could be found to amount to only about half the value of grown-up people. Owing to the fact that a certain degree of antithrombin III level can be regarded as a prerequisite for a sufficient heparin effect the missing cofactor, antithrombin III, has to be absolutely substituted, if heparinization is necessary in the newborn period. Deep frozen, fresh plasma is recommended for it in an amount of 10 ml/kg of body weight.