Plasma ammonia concentrations in extremely low birthweight infants in the first week after birth: secondary analysis from the ProVIDe randomized clinical trial.
Pediatr Res
; 88(2): 250-256, 2020 08.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-31896121
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Little is known about normative ammonia concentrations in extremely low birthweight (ELBW) babies and whether these vary with birth characteristics. We aimed to determine ammonia concentrations in ELBW babies in the first week after birth and relationships with neonatal characteristics and protein intake.METHODS:
Arterial blood samples for the measurement of plasma ammonia concentration were collected within 7 days of birth from ProVIDe trial participants in six New Zealand neonatal intensive care units.RESULTS:
Three hundred and twenty-two babies were included. Median (range) gestational age was 25.7 (22.7-31.6) weeks. Median (interquartile range (IQR)) ammonia concentration was 102 (80-131) µg/dL. There were no statistically significant associations between ammonia concentrations and birthweight or sex. Ammonia concentrations were weakly correlated with mean total (Spearman's rs = 0.11, P = 0.047) and intravenous (rs = 0.13, P = 0.02) protein intake from birth, gestational age at birth (rs = -0.13, P = 0.02) and postnatal age (rs = -0.13, P = 0.02).CONCLUSIONS:
Plasma ammonia concentrations in ELBW babies are similar to those of larger and more mature babies and only weakly correlated with protein intake. Currently, recommended thresholds for investigation of hyperammonaemia are appropriate for ELBW babies. Protein intake should not be limited by concerns about potential hyperammonaemia.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Ammonia
Type of study:
Clinical_trials
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Newborn
Country/Region as subject:
Oceania
Language:
En
Journal:
Pediatr Res
Year:
2020
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country: