Serum levels of immunoglobulin isotypes and immunoglobulin g subtypes in healthy term turkish newborns.

AIMS: We aimed to determine the normal immunoglobulin values of Turkish new-borns by studying IgG, IgA, IgM, and IgG subgroups (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4) from term, healthy neonates born in the Sakarya province of Turkey. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In our study, IgA, IgM, IgG, and IgG subgroup levels were measured nephelometrically in 54 new-borns (15-21-day-old). They were born between 39 and 41 weeks of gestation by problem-free delivery and with Apgar scores >8 at 1 and 5 minutes. The enrolled neonates were singletons and were free of congenital diseases/anomalies, history of perinatal infection, and with no known history of transfusion or chronic disease in the mother. The study findings were also evaluated in terms of differences based on delivery mode, feeding type, gender, and demographic characteristics. RESULTS: This study enrolled 54 new-borns, 42 (77.8%) of whom were born by cesarean section and 12 (22.2%) by spontaneous vaginal delivery. Of the new-borns, 41 (75.9%) were only breastfed, and 13 (24.1%) were fed with combined breast milk and baby formula. The 95% confidence intervals of serum immunoglobulins and IgG subgroups were as follows: IgG, 652-722 mg/dL; IgA, 6-8 mg/dL; IgM, 27-35 mg/dL; IgG1, 495.7-544.3 mg/dL; IgG2, 139.6-169.5 mg/dL; IgG3, 22.7-27.7 mg/dL; and IgG4, 21.5-33.7 mg/dL. There was no significant correlation between any demographic characteristic and any immunoglobulin type. A low-moderate but significant negative correlation (r: -0.34) was found between birth length and IgA and a low-moderate but significant positive correlation (r: 0.32) was found between head circumference and IgM level. CONCLUSION: Our study provided usable data on the normal values of serum IgG, IgA, IgM, and IgG subgroups among healthy Turkish new-borns. This study is thought to be one of the most standardized and reliable reference sources for our country.

Oxidative DNA damage in retinopathy of prematurity.

PURPOSE: This study examines the levels of oxidative damage in patients with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). METHODS: Fifty patients were recruited with a birthweight below 1500 g or gestational age below 32 weeks. The cases were classified into those who developed ROP (n=25) and those without ROP (n=25). The authors obtained blood and urine samples from each infant, for measuring 8-hydroxy 2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, at the time of the first examination at 4-6 postnatal weeks. RESULTS: A significant difference was observed in leukocyte and urine 8-OHdG levels in patients with ROP compared to those without ROP (p<0.001 for both). Similarly, a significant difference was observed in plasma and urine MDA levels in patients with ROP compared to those without ROP (p<0.001 for both). In addition, significant correlations were found between levels of 8-OHdG in leukocyte DNA and plasma MDA (r=0.859, p<0.001), and between levels of urine 8-OHdG excretion and urine MDA (r=0.563, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: 8-OHdG in leukocyte DNA and urine levels in premature infants can be useful as an indicator for ROP screening.

Serum leptin levels in children with acute viral hepatitis A / Niveles de leptina en plasma en niños con hepatitis viral a aguda

OBJECTIVES: In acute viral hepatitis A (AVH-A), involvement of the liver is through cytotoxic cells and cytokine levels are increased Immune response of the host determines the severity of the disease. Leptin stimulates cytokines, therefore, the authors hypothesized that the relationship between leptin and cellular immunity might cause different clinical presentations of the disease. METHODS: Twenty-eight children with AVH-A and 10 healthy children formed the basis of the study. Serum leptin, C-reactive protein (CRP) and alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1AT) levels were determined RESULTS: There was significant positive correlation between body mass index (BMI) and leptin levels both in patients and controls (p = 0.003 and p = 0.001 respectively). No significant difference in serum leptin, CRP or A1AT levels between patients and controls was detected (p > 0.05). Presence of icterus or fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) did not affect serum leptin level (p > 0.05). Mean A1AT level was significantly higher in children with FHF (p < 0.05). On the 30th day of admission, mean BMI, weight and leptin levels increased (p < 0.01, p < 0.01 and p < 0.05 respectively) and mean A1AT level decreased (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Leptin levels are not altered in children with AVH-A. In the convalescence period, leptin increased parallel to BMI. It is suggested that expected increment in leptin due to inflammation might be balanced with the decrease due to loss of appetite during acute illness or it might be entirely due to loss of production.

Serum leptin levels in children with acute viral hepatitis A.

OBJECTIVES: In acute viral hepatitis A (AVH-A), involvement of the liver is through cytotoxic cells and cytokine levels are increased Immune response of the host determines the severity of the disease. Leptin stimulates cytokines, therefore, the authors hypothesized that the relationship between leptin and cellular immunity might cause different clinical presentations of the disease. METHODS: Twenty-eight children with AVH-A and 10 healthy children formed the basis of the study. Serum leptin, C-reactive protein (CRP) and alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1AT) levels were determined RESULTS: There was significant positive correlation between body mass index (BMI) and leptin levels both in patients and controls (p = 0.003 and p = 0.001 respectively). No significant difference in serum leptin, CRP or A1AT levels between patients and controls was detected (p > 0.05). Presence of icterus or fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) did not affect serum leptin level (p > 0.05). Mean A1AT level was significantly higher in children with FHF (p < 0.05). On the 30th day of admission, mean BMI, weight and leptin levels increased (p < 0.01, p < 0.01 and p < 0.05 respectively) and mean A1AT level decreased (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Leptin levels are not altered in children with AVH-A. In the convalescence period, leptin increased parallel to BMI. It is suggested that expected increment in leptin due to inflammation might be balanced with the decrease due to loss of appetite during acute illness or it might be entirely due to loss of production.