Umbilical cord alpha-1-antitrypsin in Egyptian newborns

ABSTRACT

Alpha-1-antitrypsin, a major alpha[1] globulin protease was estimated in cord blood, amniotic fluid and maternal blood of 20 normally grown full term, 18 premature and 12 small for their gestational age. Alpha-1-antitrypsin was reported to increase progressively during pregnancy. The lower level in mothers who delivered prematurely, may be gestational age-related indicating increased level with increasing duration of conception. The mean level of alpha-1-antitrypsin in the cord blood of premature newborns was significantly lower than that of full term. Alpha-1-antitrypsin was shown to be decreased in the cord blood and elevated in the amniotic fluid of premature infants especially by those suffering of respiratory distress syndrome [RDS]. So umbilical cord level of alpha-1-antitrypsin may serve as an indicator predicting the development of RDS deserve to be opened for speculations