Changes in the Alkaline Phosphatase Activity of Granulocytes from the First to the Sixth Day of Life in Newborns

Abstract

GAP activity was studied in 40 newborns, from the first to the sixth day of life after normal pregnancy and labor. Evaluation of GAP activity was performed in stained blood smears by the method of Kaplow. The results of this study indicate, that GAP activity on the first day of life was higher (121.0 ± 16.7 GAP score) than on the sixth day (68.6 ± 12.0 GAP score). The authors, discussing the possible cause of the increased alkaline phosphatase activity in granulocytes during the first day of life, cannot exclude the possibility that the GAP activity is influenced by estrogens of maternal origin.