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- Title
Delay of liver maturation as a cause of transient neonatal galactosemia.
- Authors
Ono, Hiroaki; Mawatari, Hideo; Mizoguchi, Nobuyuki; Eguchi, Takaatsu; Sakura, Nobuo; Hamakawa, Mochiyuki
- Abstract
Abstract Background: Because a large amount of serum α-fetoprotein (α-FP) is synthesized in the liver of the fetus or premature newborn, high concentrations or delayed degradation of serum α-FP during the neonatal period may reflect hepatic immaturity. Methods: In order to evaluate the relationship between transient neonatal galactosemia and delay of liver maturation, the concentration and half-life of serum α-FP during the neonatal period were measured in patients with transient galactosemia and in normal neonates. Results: No significant differences were observed in the serum concentration of α-FP between normal and galactosemic patients less than 1 month of age. However, the half-life of serum α-FP was significantly longer in galactosemic patients between 15 and 60 days of age compared with age-matched normal neonates. Conclusion: Based on these results, we hypothesize that delay of liver maturation during the neonatal period, especially during the first 2 months after birth, can be a cause of transient neonatal galactosemia.
- Subjects
GALACTOSEMIA; PREMATURE infants; SERUM
- Publication
Pediatrics International, 2000, Vol 42, Issue 1, p61
- ISSN
1328-8067
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1046/j.1442-200X.2000.01181.x