All issues > Volume 43(5); 2000

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 2000;43(5):605-610. Published online May 15, 2000.

The Utility of Serum Prealbumin as a Biochemical Marker for Nutritional Adequacy in Neonates

Ji A JA Jung¹, Eun Ae EA Park¹, Jeong Wan JW Seo¹, Seung Joo SJ Lee¹

¹Departmemt of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea

Abstract

Purpose
: The purpose of this study was to determine the utility of serum prealbumin as a biochemical marker for nutritional adequacy in neonates.
Methods
: From March 1998 to May 1999, 71 fullterm(54 AGA, 9 LGA, 8 SGA) and 46 preterm neonates were enrolled. The correlations among prealbumin, albumin, birth weight and gestational age were obtained. Serum concentrations of albumin and prealbumin according to calory and protein intake were also serially measured in 30 fullterm and 29 preterm neonates on days 0, 3 and 7 of life.
Results
: Serum prealbumin concentrations at birth were 10.2¡¾2.6mg/dL in fullterm AGA, 12.1¡¾3.3mg/dL in fullterm LGA, 8.3¡¾1.2mg/dL in fullterm SGA and 8.8¡¾2.4mg/dL in preterm neonates. Serum prealbumin concentration was significantly correlated with birth weight, gestational age and serum albumin level(P<0.01). In the neonates, prealbumin concentrations on day 3 of life were significantly lower than initial concentrations, and then they rised on the day 7 of life(P< 0.05). Serial serum prealbumin level was significantly correlated with body weight, calory intake and protein intake(P<0.01). When caloric and protein intakes were higher than 100kcal/kg/d and 2g/kg/d, respectively, there were significant differences in the changes of prealbumin concentrations on days 0, 3, and 7 of life, compared with those in neonates with lower intake.
Conclusion
: Serum prealbumin concentration could be used in the early recognition of changes in nutritional state in neonates.

Keywords :Prealbumin, Nutritional marker, Neonate