Plasma somatostatin and cholecystokinin levels in preterm infants during the first day of life.

Abstract

Our knowledge about regulatory gut peptides in preterm infants is scanty. We therefore began a study of plasma somatostatin (SS) and cholecystokinin (CCK) in preterm infants at birth and during the neonatal period. Plasma SS and CCK levels were assessed in 77 mothers and in 91 preterm infants immediately after birth (umbilical cord) and during the first day of life (1F) (n = 69, median age 5 h). The gestational age ranged from 23 to 36 weeks and the birth weight from 460 to 3,350 g. After Sep-Pak C18 semichromatography of plasma, SS and CCK were analyzed by RIA. Both plasma SS and CCK levels increased significantly during the first hours of life. Plasma SS levels were negatively correlated to gestational age, birth weight and birth length. When the SS-1F levels were adjusted for gestational age in a multivariate analysis there was no independent association with birthweight but a weak association with birth length. Plasma CCK-1F levels were not correlated with any of these variables. Plasma SS-1F levels were lower after cesarean section. Plasma SS and CCK levels during the first day were not correlated to multiple birth, mode of anesthesia, umbilical pH, Apgar score and blood glucose level before first meal.