ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Plasma angiotensin II concentrations in the early neonatal period

M Miyawaki, T Okutani, R Higuchi and N Yoshikawa

Division of Perinatal Medicine NICU, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama City, Wakayama, Japan

Correspondence to:
Correspondence to:
Dr Miyawaki
Division of Perinatal Medicine NICU, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama City, Wakayama 641-8509, Japan; miyawaki{at}wakayama-med.ac.jp

Background: There have been only a few reports on the renin-angiotensin system in low birthweight infants; in particular, plasma angiotensin II concentrations have not been studied.

Aim: To investigate plasma angiotensin II concentrations in early neonatal infants including low birthweight infants.

Methods: Forty six patients were studied, of whom 14 weighed not less than 2500 g (normal birth weight), 16 weighed less than 2500 g but not less than 1500 g (moderately low birth weight), and 16 weighed less than 1500 g (very low birth weight). Blood samples were collected twice, on day 0 and day 7. Angiotensin II concentration was assayed using an enzyme immunoassay kit with a microplate.

Results: Geometric means of angiotensin II concentrations on day 7 were 19 pg/ml in the normal birthweight group, 28 pg/ml in the moderately low birthweight group, and 76 pg/ml in the very low birthweight group. The concentrations on day 7 in the very low birthweight group were significantly higher than those in the normal birthweight and moderately low birthweight groups (p = 0.005, p = 0.031). There were significant correlations between angiotensin II concentration on day 7 and gestational age (r_s = –0.4, p = 0.007) and birth weight (r_s = –0.36, p = 0.016).

Conclusions: Specific physiological conditions associated with a very low birth weight are thought to be responsible for the increased concentration of angiotensin II on day 7. It is necessary to measure angiotensin II concentration for a longer period after birth and study the factors that could influence it.

Abbreviations: ACE, angiotensin converting enzyme; AII, angiotensin II; NBW, normal birth weight; MLBW, moderately low birth weight; VLBW, very low birth weight

Keywords: low birth weight; renin-angiotensin system; angiotensin II

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