Delay of liver maturation as a cause of transient neonatal galactosemia.
作者信息
Ono H, Mawatari H, Mizoguchi N, Eguchi T, Sakura N, Hamakawa M
机构信息
Department of Pediatrics, Hiroshima University School of Medicine, Japan.
出版信息
Pediatr Int. 2000 Feb;42(1):61-3. doi: 10.1046/j.1442-200x.2000.01181.x.
BACKGROUND
Because a large amount of serum alpha-fetoprotein (alpha-FP) is synthesized in the liver of the fetus or premature newborn, high concentrations or delayed degradation of serum alpha-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 alpha-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 alpha-FP between normal and galactosemic patients less than 1 month of age. However, the half-life of serum alpha-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.
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