Carnitine in Maternal and Neonatal Plasma*

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Abstract
Total plasma carnitine was analyzed in 19 women, with uncomplicated pregnancies, who underwent elective caesarean section, and in their neonates. The women were given a balanced glucose (glucose group) or saline (saline group) infusion, group allocation being on a random basis. The carnitine levels in maternal or infant plasma did not differ between these 2 groups. At delivery, the mean maternal carnitine value, 17.4 .+-. 1.25 .mu.mol/l, was lower than the mean infant value, 25.9 .mu.mol/l .+-. 2.67 (mean .+-. SE, P < 0.005) and lower than the mean value in non-pregnant, fertile women, i.e., 40.9 .+-. 1.22 .mu.mol/l. The mean carnitine value in the unfed neonate had not changed when the infant was 4 h old. A positive correlation was found between carnitine levels in maternal and infant plasma (P < 0.01). At delivery, the levels of non-esterified fatty acids and 3-OH-butyrate in infant plasma were different in the 2 groups, but not at 4 h of age. The maternal carnitine level is apparently the most important factor governing plasma carnitine levels in the neonate.