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Delay of liver maturation as a cause of transient neonatal galactosemia
Author(s) -
Ono Hiroaki,
Mawatari Hideo,
Mizoguchi Nobuyuki,
Eguchi Takaatsu,
Sakura Nobuo,
Hamakawa Mochiyuki
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
pediatrics international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.49
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1442-200X
pISSN - 1328-8067
DOI - 10.1046/j.1442-200x.2000.01181.x
Subject(s) - galactosemia , medicine , fetus , endocrinology , premature newborn , physiology , pregnancy , pediatrics , biochemistry , biology , galactose , genetics
Background : Because a large amount of serum α‐fetoprotein (α‐FP) is synthesized in the liver of the fetus or premature newborn, high concentrations or delayed degradation of serum α‐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 α‐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 α‐FP between normal and galactosemic patients less than 1 month of age. However, the half‐life of serum α‐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.