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Post-natal development of factor IX
Insights
Newborns have low Factor IX clotting activity and antigen levels, which increase in the first three days of life. Oral vitamin K1 did not significantly alter these levels in healthy, breastfed infants.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatrics
- Hematology
Background:
- Factor IX is crucial for blood coagulation.
- Newborns typically present with lower levels of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the postnatal development of Factor IX clotting activity and antigen levels in healthy, breastfed newborns.
- To assess the impact of oral vitamin K1 administration on these levels.
Main Methods:
- Studied 111 healthy, breastfed infants aged 1-30 days.
- Measured Factor IX clotting activity using a one-stage assay.
- Quantified Factor IX antigen levels via electroimmunoassay.
Main Results:
- Factor IX clotting activity and antigen levels were low on day 1, increasing significantly within the first three days.
- Levels remained stable post-day 3 and were lower than adult values throughout the first month.
- Oral vitamin K1 administration showed no significant difference in Factor IX activity.
Conclusions:
- Factor IX levels in newborns undergo rapid postnatal development in the initial days of life.
- Oral vitamin K1 did not demonstrate a significant impact on Factor IX levels in this cohort.
- Newborns exhibit distinct Factor IX profiles compared to adults, normalizing over the first month.
Abstract:
Post-natal development of clotting activity and of antigen level of Factor IX was evaluated in 111 healthy, breastfed, newborn infants, aged 1-30 days. Of these, 80 had received at birth 2 mg of vitamin K1 orally. Factor IX clotting activity was determined by one-stage assay and antigen level by electroimmunoassay. On the 1st day both antigen level and clotting activity were low and the ratio was 1.01. There was a significant postnatal increase of the two activities of Factor IX during the first three days of life; thereafter both remained constant. No statistical difference inFactor IX activity was found with oral administration of vitamin K1 after the birth. During the first month of life both clotting activity and antigen level of Factor IX were low as compared to adult values. There was no correlation with age. The Factor IX protein of newborns did not show molecular heterogeneity by crossed-immunoelectrophoresis.