All issues > Volume 39(3); 1996

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1996;39(3):319-325. Published online March 15, 1996.

Plasma Fibronectin Concentration in the Neonate

Young Y Yoo¹, Kwang Chul KC Lee¹, Young Chang YC Tockgo¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea

Abstract

Purpose
: Plasma fibronectin is thought to have important role in the inflammatory response and host defense. We performed this study to evaluate concentration in the full-term, healthy preterm, asphyxia and respiratory distress syndrome and how that correlated with gestational age and birth weight.
Methods
: We evaluate 51 neonates who were delivered at Korea University Hospital from Jan. 1992 to Jul. 1992. In order to evaluate concentration of plasma fibronectin according to gestational age and birth weight in 51 neonates, we measured plasma fibronectin in healthy premature and term infants and investigated the alteration in plasma values in infants with perinatal asphyxia and respiratory distress syndrome.
Results
: 1) The concentration of plasma fibronectin was lower in preterm infants(123¡¾30ug/dl) than in term infants(151¡¾26ug/dl). 2) There was a significant correlation between the plasma fibronectin concentration and both gestational age and weight (p<0.01). 3) The infant with perinatal asphyxia and respiratory distress syndrome had lower plasma fibronectin concentration than those in age matched healthy infant.
Conclusion
: This results shows that the plasma fibronectin correlate with gestational age and birth weight and suggests that deficiency of plasma fibronectin correlate with reticuloendothelial system hypofunction in infants with complicated birth.

Keywords :Fibronectin, Neonate