Excretion of nitrites, nitrates and oligopeptides in newborns urine under intrauterine infections

Abstract

Objective: It is known that inflammatory process induced by infection increases nitric oxide (NO) synthesis as a result of cytokine activation of macrophages and endothelium cells. Oligopeptides as a products of protein catabolism usually appear in the urine due to intoxication of organism. The goal of the present work was to analyze the level of nitrites and nitrates (final products of NO metabolism) and oligopeptides excretion in intrauterine infected (IUI) newborns simultaneously with investigation of clinic status in early neonatal period.

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Methods: 32 newborns with high risk of IUI were observed. They were subdivided into two groups. 20 newborns were infected by different agents in intrauterine period. 12 newborns have problems with adaptation in early postnatal period without clinical manifestation of IUI. Control group consists from 42 healthy newborns. The level of nitrites (NO₂) and nitrates (NO3) excretion in newborns urine has been detected by Griess reaction.

Results: The average level of nitrite and nitrate excretion in infected newborns was higher than in control group both at day and night time, but normal circadian rhythm has been retained. The individual analysis has shown the infringement of circadian rhythm in some children with IUI. The high level excretion of nitrites and nitrates was correlated with changes on the part of several functional systems (CNS and cardiovascular system). The level of oligopeptides in infected newborns was also higher than in control group, but their circadian rhythm was not observed.

Conclusions: Investigation of nitrate, nitrite and oligopeptide excretion may be useful for diagnostics of intrauterine infections.