Haptoglobin Concentration in the Cord Blood of Uninfected Korean Newborns

Objective: Highly sensitive haptoglobin measurement should be used in neonates because the haptoglobin concentration in neonates is lower than that of adults. The aim of this study was to establish the reference values of haptoglobin levels in the cord blood of uninfected neonates. Methods: The cord blood of 29 preterm and 51 term babies was collected, and data from the mother and the newborn were recorded. The haptoglobin concentrations of 80 cord blood samples were simultaneously measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA; Assaypro, St Charles, MO, USA) and immunoturbidimetry assay (Roche Diagnostics, Basel, Switzerland). C-reactive protein (CRP) was also measured by immunoturbidimetry assay (Roche Diagnostics, Switzerland). Results: Mean values of CRP and ELISA haptoglobin were not significantly different between preterm and term babies. The 2.5 percentile and 97.5 percentile values of ELISA haptoglobin concentration were as follows: 80 neonates, 0.01 mg/dL and 0.59 mg/dL; 29 preterm babies, 0.08 mg/dL and 0.18 mg/dL; and 51 term babies, 0.07 mg/dL and 0.23 mg/dL. There were no differences in ELISA haptoglobin concentration according to maternal underlying diseases, delivery method, usage of antibiotics or steroids before delivery, gestational age, gender of baby, or twin gestation. Conclusion: A highly sensitive haptoglobin method should be used to determine the haptoglobin concentration in Korean newborns because the reference values of cord blood haptoglobin concentration in Korean newborns are less than the lower detection limit for commonly used immunoturbidimetric haptoglobin measurement methods. KCI Citation Count: 0