Erythropoiesis of very low-birth-weight infants dependent on prenatal growth rate and protein status

Acta Paediatr. 1994 Jan;83(1):13-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.1994.tb12944.x.

Abstract

This study investigated erythropoiesis in very low-birth-weight infants with special reference to the role of protein status in the regulation of erythropoiesis in 22 appropriate- and 11 small-for-gestational-age infants. Blood samples were drawn at three and six weeks of age. The serum concentrations of erythropoietin, estimated by a solid-phase enzyme immunoassay, were similar in the two groups at both study ages. The total circulating erythrocyte volume and the serum concentration of prealbumin were higher in the appropriate- than in the small-for-gestational-age infants at three and six weeks of age. The former group had a better protein status, although their protein intake was similar or lower. We conclude that erythropoiesis in very low-birth-weight infants is influenced more by protein status and prenatal growth than by serum concentration of erythropoietin.

MeSH terms

  • Embryonic and Fetal Development / physiology*
  • Erythrocyte Volume
  • Erythropoiesis*
  • Erythropoietin / blood
  • Hemoglobins / analysis
  • Humans
  • Infant, Low Birth Weight / physiology*
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Small for Gestational Age / physiology
  • Prealbumin / analysis

Substances

  • Hemoglobins
  • Prealbumin
  • Erythropoietin