The activity of platelet factor 4 in plasma of healthy and high risk newborns

✍ Scribed by Alebouyeh, M. ;Unterharnscheidt, W. ;Riegel, K.

• Publisher: Springer-Verlag
• Year: 1974
• Weight: 382 KB
• Volume: 116
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0044-2917
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00491512

✦ Synopsis

The plasmatic platelet factor 4 activity (PF4) and the platelet count were determined in cord blood (group I) and scalp vein blood (group II) of 70 infants. The PF4, measured upon its anti-heparin activity, and the platelet count were found in healthy infants of both groups within the normal range of healthy adults. High risk infants of both groups demonstrated a significant elevation of PF4 activity and a significantly (group I) or markedly (group II) decreased platelet count. There was a positive correlation between the increased PF4 and decreased platelet count in the high risk infants of group I. These changes among the high risk infants are probably due to activation of the coagulation system evoked by fetal or perinatal distress. The high risk conditions encountered in both groups were in accordance with those known to promote disseminated intravasal coagulation in newborns.