Erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in newborn infants of low birth weight

Abstract

Red cell acetylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.7) activity is subnormal in ABO hemolytic disease of the newborn. Since this disorder also occurs in infants of low birth weight and inasmuch as the specific activity of several red cell enzymes is lower in these infants than in fullterm babies, acetylcholinesterase activity was determined within the second day of life in 120 newborn infants of low birth weight. Enzyme activity was lower in these infants than in normal full-term newborns, but significantly higher than in infants affected with ABO hemolytic disease of the newborn. The measurement of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.49), a sexlinked enzyme of importance in drug-induced hemolytic anemias and implicated in neonatal jaundice in certain populations, showed no differences in activity between infants of low birth weight and full-term infants.