Objective: To measure systemic haptoglobin (HPT) concentrations from birth in preterm (PT) and T newborns. To compare HPT in newborns without hemolysis or infection with values in bacteremic newborns.Study Design: HPT was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 30 PT and 28 T newborns without hemolysis or infection at birth (cord blood), on days of life 2 to 4, and at 1 to 2 weeks of life. Concentrations were measured in eight additional newborns with bacteremia. Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test was used for comparisons.Result: HPT concentrations were consistently measurable from birth in PT and T neonates. Values were significantly greater in 2-to 4-day-old PT and T newborns than in newborns at birth (P<0.01). Bacteremic newborns had higher HPT concentrations than newborns without infection (P ¼ 0.033). Conclusion:HPT is detectable from birth in PT and T newborns. HPT concentrations increase in bacteremic newborns. HPT levels may have clinical utility in the evaluation of neonatal sepsis.

Resistance to antibiotics currently used empirically to treat newborns is present in bacteremia-producing E. coli. Clonal spread among newborns of multidrug-resistant E. coli is possible; therefore, continued surveillance is needed. Identification of additional virulence factors associated with increased invasion in neonatal E. coli strains is important and further studies are warranted.