Correlations between Hemostatic Functions and and Liver Functions in the Neonatal Period

Abstract

Hemostatic tests such as; thrombotest, hepaplastin test, prothrombin time, activated-partial thromboplastin time, factor VIII and IX, fibrinogen and platelet counts were studied in 91 full-term appropriate-for-date (AFD) newborn infants, who were considered to be mature healthy newborn, and 39 preterm AFD newborn infants, who were born with short gestational period and immature functions, and 37 fullterm small-for-date (SFD) newborn infants, who were considered with disturbed fetal growth. At the same time, some liver function tests such as; total bilirubin, TTT and ZTT, alkaline phosphatase, LAP, LDH, GOT and GPT, choline esterase and total protein were examined.Hemostatic tests revealed moderate disturbances in full-term AFD and severe hypofunction in preterm AFD during 1 to 3 days of age. Then, they increased their levels gradually. In full-term SFD, hemostatic abilities were a little different from other two groups; they did not show a gradual increase with days of age.Functions of liver were not reflected in routine liver tests; they had high bilirubin level due to physiological hemolysis and elevated LDH and GOT originated in RBC. But, decreased choline esterase activity indicates poor protein synthesis in the liver.The correlation between hemostatic and liver function tests were not so definite in newborn infants.To evaluate liver functions in the neonatal period, correctly, it would be proper to examine these hemostatic tests, such as thrombotest, hepaplastintest and prothrombin time, before and after the administration of vitamin K.