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Early elevation of serum thrombopoietin levels and subsequent thrombocytosis in healthy preterm infants
Author(s) -
Matsubara Kousaku,
Baba Kunizo,
Nigami Hiroyuki,
Harigaya Hidekazu,
Ishiguro Akira,
Kato Takashi,
Miyazaki Hiroshi
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2141.2001.03183.x
Subject(s) - thrombocytosis , thrombopoietin , platelet , medicine , pathophysiology , endocrinology , interleukin 11 , gastroenterology , cytokine , interleukin , haematopoiesis , biology , stem cell , genetics
To verify pathophysiological mechanisms underlying thrombocytosis in low‐birth‐weight (LBW) preterm babies, we evaluated kinetic changes in platelet counts and thrombopoietic cytokines including thrombopoietin (TPO), interleukin 6 (IL‐6) and IL‐11 in 24 uncomplicated preterm infants. Platelet counts in cord blood (CB) (265 ± 64 × 10 9 /l) were similar to adult levels, increased by d 14 (473 ± 140 × 10 9 /l), and then remained fairly constant. Thrombocytosis (> 500 × 10 9 /l) was observed in 9/24 (38%) subjects. Mean TPO level in CB was 5·11 ± 1·51 fmol/ml, peaked at d 2 (7·64 ± 3·28 fmol/ml), decreased at d 5 (3·93 ± 1·67 fmol/ml), and thereafter kept fairly constant during the remaining neonatal period. Compared with term infants, mean TPO levels of preterm infants in CB and at d 2 were significantly higher ( P < 0·01). There was an inverse correlation between platelet counts and TPO levels ( r = 0·45, P < 0·001, n = 88). Preterm neonates with thrombocytosis had significantly higher TPO values in CB than those without thrombocytosis ( P < 0·05). There was no significant relationship between platelet counts and IL‐6. IL‐11 was not detectable. These results suggest that an early elevation of serum TPO levels is related to the subsequent thrombocytosis in LBW preterm infants.