Serum copper and ceruloplasmin in preterm infants: prospective study

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Neonatology
• Pediatric Nutrition

Background:

• Serum copper and ceruloplasmin (Cp) levels are crucial indicators of nutritional status and physiological adaptation in infants.
• Understanding their postnatal dynamics in preterm infants is essential for identifying potential deficiencies and optimizing care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe and compare the postnatal time courses of serum copper and ceruloplasmin (Cp) in preterm infants.
• To investigate correlations between serum copper, Cpi (immunodiffusion), and Cpe (enzyme assay) in this population.
• To compare copper and Cp levels in preterm versus full-term infants.

Main Methods:

• Serum copper measured by nonflame atomic absorption spectrophotometry.
• Serum Cp measured by immunodiffusion (Cpi) and enzyme assay (Cpe).
• Longitudinal monitoring of preterm infants from birth, with comparisons to full-term infants at similar postconceptional ages.

Main Results:

• Serum copper and Cp exhibited an initial rise, followed by a plateau (5-11 weeks) and a secondary increase after 11 weeks.
• A subgroup of infants showed falling values between 5-11 weeks.
• Preterm infants had higher serum copper levels than full-term infants at 10 weeks post-natal age (39-41 weeks postconception).
• Low serum copper correlated with copper-deficient parenteral nutrition, increased growth rates, and twin pregnancies.

Conclusions:

• Extrauterine life in preterm infants is associated with early increases in serum copper and Cp.
• The subgroup with falling values may indicate subclinical copper deficiency, potentially biasing group data.
• Nutritional factors may influence the postnatal rise of copper and Cp in preterm infants.