Biochemical status of healthy premature infants in the first 48 hours of life.

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Abstract
The pattern of changes in individual parameters of Na, K Cl, pH, CO2 pressure PCO2 bicar-bonate, glucose pentose, lactate, urea, amino acids, Mg, Ca, P, non-esterified fatty acid, and protein of 31 premature infants is reported. Premature infants achieve acid-base balance following the acidenia of birth with remarkable rapidity. Other hemostatic mechanisms were slower to function, as was shown by the relative hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia seen at 18-24 hrs. The low glucose levels and the evidence of heightened gluconeogenesis suggest a lack of stored glycogen and fat reserves. The absence of symptoms in the presence of high K, low sugar, low Ca, and low Mg levels was noted as a characteristic of the newborn and particularly the premature infants.