1702 Increase Plasma Endothelin-1 Levels are Associated with Lung Hypertension in Low Birth Newborns with Omphalocele

Objective Increased pulmonary vascular resistance in low birth newborn with omphalocele is suggested, and endothelin-1 plays an important role in pulmonary vascular reactivity in newborns. Methods We determined plasma (second sample) levels of endothelin-1 in 12 low birth newborns with omphalocele and 14 without omphalocele (gestational ages: 26.2±1.4 and 25.4±1.6 weeks, respectively). Blood and a second blood sample taken 18 to 40 h after birth were used for endothelin-1 determination by enzyme immunoassay. Result Plasma levers ET-1 concentrations were higher than second sample ET-1 levels in both groups (p Conclusion Our low birth newborn with and without omphalocele had similar plasma ET-1 levels, whereas ET-1 levels were higher in omphalocele than in control newborns 18 to 40 h after birth. The increased vascular resistance in omphalocele may be related to high ET-1 levels.