ERYTHROCYTE PYRUVATE-KINASE ACTIVITY IN TERM AND PRETERM INFANTS

The activity of erythrocyte pyruvate kinase (PK), one of the most impo rtant enzymes in the anaerobic glycolytic pathway, was measured in a t otal of 57 healthy (22 term and 35 preterm) infants. The mean PK activ ity was 8.98 +/- 3.43 IU/gHb in ten and 16.56 +/- 7.26 IU/gHb in prete rm infants. The mean PK activity was significantly higher in preterm b abies than ten infants (16.56 +/- 7.26 IU/gHb and 8.98 +/- 3.43 IU/gHb , respectively) (P < .001). A significant negative correlation was fou nd between gestational age, birth weight, and PK activity (r = 0.40, P < .05; r = -0.37, P < .05). No correlation was found between postnata l age and PK activity in both preterm and term infants. The increased PK activity in preterm babies was thought to be due to increased glyco lytic activity and energy production in these infants.