Elevated Activin A urine levels are predictors of intraventricular haemorrhage in preterm newborns

Aim Intraventricular haemorrhage ( IVH ) is the most common variety of cerebral haemorrhage and cause of neurological disabilities in preterm newborns. We evaluated the usefulness of urine Activin A concentrations for the early detection of perinatal IVH . Methods We conducted a case–control study on 100 preterm newborns (20 with IVH and 80 without IVH ) in whom urine Activin A was measured at five predetermined time‐points in the first 72 h after birth. IVH diagnosis and the extension of the lesion were performed by ultrasound scanning within the first 72 h and at 1 week after birth, respectively. Results Urine Activin A in infants who developed IVH was significantly higher than in controls at all monitoring time‐points (p < 0.01 for all), increasing progressively from first urination to 24 h when it reached the highest peak (p < 0.001). At a cut‐off 0.08 ng/L, at the first void, Activin A sensitivity and specificity were 68.7% ( CI : 41.3–89%) and 84.5% ( CI : 75–91.5%). Conclusion Activin A measurements in urine soon after birth can constitute a promising tool for identifying preterm infants at risk of IVH .