Fetuin-A prevents tissue calcification by forming soluble complexes with calcium and phosphate. A pathological depletion of serum fetuin-A has been observed in children on dialysis or after renal transplantation but knowledge on physiologic agerelated changes in serum fetuin-A is limited. We prospectively evaluated serum fetuin-A in 133 infants and children, ranging from very low birth weight infants to adolescents. Highest serum fetuin-A levels were present between 23 and 30 wk of gestation (1 Ϯ 0.33 mg/mL). Thereafter, the values decreased. This decrease was linked to biological rather than chronological age. At 32 to 36 and 37 to 40 wk of gestation, the serum fetuin-A concentration was 0.63 Ϯ 0.26 and 0.63 Ϯ 0.21 mg/mL, respectively. Thereafter, the concentrations remained stable until adolescence at 0.58 Ϯ 0.12 mg/mL. Intercurrent infections were associated with a transient decrease of serum fetuin-A levels. The high serum fetuin-A concentrations in preterm children suggest that fetuin-A is of high physiologic impact for the fetal and the preterm-born organism, showing extensive tissue formation. This might point to a new mechanism contributing to organ damage in these patients, comparable with children on dialysis.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.