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Fibrinogen and factor VII in male neonates
P van der Salm1, H M Ubachs, J W van Wersch
1Department of Gynaecology, De Wever Hospital, Heerlen, The Netherlands.
Insights
Early life growth restriction may not program male neonates for adult cardiovascular disease via fibrinogen or factor VII. Fetal growth indicators like placenta/birth weight ratio showed limited correlation with these clotting factors.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular disease research
- Neonatal health
- Hemostasis and thrombosis
Background:
- Studies link retarded fetal growth to adult male cardiovascular disease.
- Associations between hemostatic variables (fibrinogen, factor VII) and placenta/birth weight ratio are implicated.
- Clotting factor levels can be influenced by various factors throughout life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between fetal growth and neonatal hemostatic variables.
- To determine if fibrinogen and factor VII levels in cord blood are associated with fetal growth indicators.
- To assess the potential programming of adult cardiovascular disease risk in males based on early life factors.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of fibrinogen and clotting factor VII levels in cord blood of male neonates.
- Calculation and analysis of the placenta/birth weight ratio.
- Correlation analysis between hemostatic variables and fetal growth indicators.
Main Results:
- The placenta/birth weight ratio did not correlate with birth weight for gestational age.
- Placenta/birth weight ratio was a minor indicator of overall fetal growth.
- No significant association found between fetal growth indicators and neonatal fibrinogen or factor VII levels.
Conclusions:
- Fetal growth, as indicated by the placenta/birth weight ratio, does not appear to program male neonates for adult cardiovascular disease through elevated fibrinogen or factor VII levels.
- The proposed link between early growth and adult cardiovascular disease via these specific hemostatic markers in males is unlikely.
- Further research may be needed to explore other potential pathways linking early life factors to cardiovascular health outcomes.
Abstract:
Recent studies have suggested that retarded fetal and early growth predisposes to cardiovascular disease of males in adult life. This is partly explicable by an association between the haemostatic variables fibrinogen and factor VII and the placenta/birth weight ratio. Since many characteristics influence clotting factors during life, levels of fibrinogen and clotting factor VII were measured in cord blood of male neonates. The placenta/birth weight ratio did not correlate with the birth weight for gestational age and appeared to be only a minor indicator of fetal growth. These findings make it unlikely that the level of fetal outcome 'programmes' male neonates via fibrinogen or factor VII to develop cardiovascular disease in adult life.