Abstract
A simple accurate method using 0.1 ml of plasma for determination of acetoacetate (AcAc) and D-β-hydroxybutarate (BHB) is described and applied to new-born infants. Umbilical cord BHB paralleled maternal values. BHB and AcAc increased in the first days of life and decreased after intravenous glucose. Capillary and venous values were well correlated.