PEDIATRICS Vol. 76 No. 6 December 1985, pp. 954-957
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow P3Rs: Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when P3Rs are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow E-mail this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My File Cabinet
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Jacqz, E. M.
Right arrow Articles by Dollery, C. T.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Jacqz, E. M.
Right arrow Articles by Dollery, C. T.

Prostacyclin Concentrations in Cord Blood and in the Newborn

E. M. Jacqz 1, S. E. Barrow 1, and C. T. Dollery 1

1 From the Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, London

The levels of 6-oxo-prostaglandin F1agr (6-oxo-PGF1agr) were measured in cord blood and in peripheral venous blood in newborns using gas chromatography coupled with negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry. The plasma concentrations of 6-oxo-PGF1agr in cord blood increased significantly between delivery and placental expulsion (P < .005). In newborns, the circulation levels of 6-oxo-PGF1agr after four hours of life were low and comparable to adult levels. Large quantities of prostacyclin are produced by the uteroplacental unit during parturition, but only small amounts are transmitted to the newborn during a normal delivery. The low plasma concentrations of 6-oxo-PGF1agr in newborns suggest that prostaglandin I1 is not a circulating vasodilator during the first week of life.

Key Words: prostacyclin • newborn • cord blood • 6-oxo-prostaglandin F1agr

Accepted on April 1, 1985