PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - M Miyawaki AU - T Okutani AU - R Higuchi AU - N Yoshikawa TI - Plasma angiotensin II concentrations in the early neonatal period AID - 10.1136/adc.2005.089573 DP - 2006 Sep 01 TA - Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition PG - F359--F362 VI - 91 IP - 5 4099 - http://fn.bmj.com/content/91/5/F359.short 4100 - http://fn.bmj.com/content/91/5/F359.full SO - Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed2006 Sep 01; 91 AB - Background: There have been only a few reports on the renin-angiotensin system in low birthweight infants; in particular, plasma angiotensin II concentrations have not been studied. Aim: To investigate plasma angiotensin II concentrations in early neonatal infants including low birthweight infants. Methods: Forty six patients were studied, of whom 14 weighed not less than 2500 g (normal birth weight), 16 weighed less than 2500 g but not less than 1500 g (moderately low birth weight), and 16 weighed less than 1500 g (very low birth weight). Blood samples were collected twice, on day 0 and day 7. Angiotensin II concentration was assayed using an enzyme immunoassay kit with a microplate. Results: Geometric means of angiotensin II concentrations on day 7 were 19 pg/ml in the normal birthweight group, 28 pg/ml in the moderately low birthweight group, and 76 pg/ml in the very low birthweight group. The concentrations on day 7 in the very low birthweight group were significantly higher than those in the normal birthweight and moderately low birthweight groups (p  =  0.005, p  =  0.031). There were significant correlations between angiotensin II concentration on day 7 and gestational age (rs  =  −0.4, p  =  0.007) and birth weight (rs  =  −0.36, p  =  0.016). Conclusions: Specific physiological conditions associated with a very low birth weight are thought to be responsible for the increased concentration of angiotensin II on day 7. It is necessary to measure angiotensin II concentration for a longer period after birth and study the factors that could influence it.