Measurement of umbilical activin A level in preterm infants / 中国当代儿科杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the clinical significance of umbilical activin A in preterm infants.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-one preterm infants (gestation 28 to 36 weeks) were enrolled. Fetal membranes, umbilical cords and blood samples from umbilical vein were obtained. Umbilical activin A level was measured using ELISA. The histological examinations of fetal membranes and umbilical cords were performed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The umbilical level of activin A averaged 2069 pg/mL in the 41 preterm infants. The umbilical activin A level in the 5 infants with intrauterine infection was higher than in those without intrauterine infection (2510 pg/mL vs 1975 pg/mL; P<0.01). Umbilical activin A level at cutoff of 2490 pg/mL showed a sensitivity of 80.0% and a specificity of 90.6% as a marker of intrauterine infection. There were no significant differences in the umbilical activin A level between the infants with and without respiratory distress syndrome. Umbilical activin A level was positively correlated with the duration of postnatal oxygen therapy (r=0.326, P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Umbilical activin A may serve a marker of intrauterine infection in preterm infants. The umbilical activin A level is correlated with the duration of postnatal oxygen therapy.</p>