Serum enzyme activities in premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gam ma-glutamyltranspeptidase (gamma-GT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activi ties were measured in 26 premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) (group 1), and in 24 premature controls, matched for gestational age and birth weight (group 2). Blood samples were taken serially on 3, 10, 20, 30 and 60 postpartum days. Group 1 and group 2 premature infants showed st atistically higher LDH activities on the 3rd postpartum day. These differen ces disappeared later and LDH activities progressively decreased with time in both premature groups. Mean AST values of group 1 and group 2 premature infants were also significantly higher on the 3rd postpartum day. Subsequen tly, in all groups, AST showed a postpartal decrease, and a stabilization f rom the 10th day of life until the 2nd postnatal month. Mean ALT values wer e instead, comparable on the 3rd postnatal day and subsequently increased, although not significantly. Like the AST, gamma-GT of group 1 and group 2 p remature infants were slightly more elevated on the 3rd postpartum day. The subsequent decrease was however transitory, and at 1 and 2 postnatal month s a noticeable, significant progressive increase in mean values was found. It is concluded that serum ALT, AST, LDH and gamma-GT measurement of sick p remature infants within the first 2 months of life are not significantly al tered by the occurrence of BPD. Copyright (C) 1999 S.Karger AG, Basel.