Evaluation of indirect microparticle activity and parameters of thrombin generation test in healthy infants.

INTRODUCTION

Circulating microparticles support thrombin generation. The aim of this study is to determine the indirect microparticle activity and the parameters of thrombin generation in healthy infants.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 85 infants who were brought to follow-up visits were taken into the study. Blood samples were collected. Thrombin generation parameters and indirect microparticle activity were measured.

RESULTS

The infants were divided into four groups according to the time of follow-up visits. Mean ages were 1.18 ± 0.19 months in Group 1, 6.15 ± 0.16 months in Group 2, 12.38 ± 0.46 months in Group 3 and 24.53 ± 0.39 months in Group 4, respectively. There was no statistical difference among the age-based groups with respect to the indirect microparticle activity. The lag time and the TTP levels in Group 1 were lower than that found in Group 2. The ETP and peak levels were higher in Group 1 than that of Group 2. The ETP and peak levels in Group 2 were found lower than those found in older children, but the TTP level was found relatively higher. Statistically correlations were found between indirect microparticle activity and all parameters of thrombin generation.

CONCLUSIONS

The absence of a difference in terms of age-based microparticle levels may suggest that the features of microparticles in healthy children of this age group are similar. Age-dependent changes in thrombin generation parameters may suggest a regulation mechanism for the thrombin generation system over the first years of life. The results may provide mean values for indirect microparticle activity and thrombin generation in this healthy group.