[Enzyme activity in serum of healthy newborn infants. Normal values of CPK, gamma-GT, GOT, GLDH. LAP, LDH and HBDH in the first 144 hours of life].

QUESTION: There are no available enzyme determinations for the neonatal period taking in account the considerable changes during the first hours of life. Moreover, in former studies the number of probands has been small and no standardized and optimized methods have been used for the determinations. It was the aim of the presented study to evaluate reference ranges for these enzymes in healthy newborns for the first week of life. METHODS: We realized a controlled-prospective study about the serum activities of CPK, GGT, GOT, GLDH, LAP, LDH, and HBDH in healthy newborns (n = 87). The enzyme determinations were done for the first time in a serial manner at five fixed times: post partum (cord), 12, 24, 72, and 144 hours post partum with optimized test-kits. RESULTS: The evaluated serum enzyme activities are stated with median, 25th, and 75th percentile by rank. We propose these results as reference ranges for these enzyme activities during the first 144 hours of life. CONCLUSION: For the first time reference ranges for serum enzyme activities concerning the striking activity changes during the first hours of life are evaluated for healthy newborn infants. These results enable comparative investigations in the case of newborn diseases.