Plasma Transforming Growth Factor β₁ Levels in Thrombocytopenic and Nonthrombocytopenic Neonates

Abstract

In this study, we determined the plasma TGF-β₁ levels in healthy and thrombocytopenic and nonthrombocytopenic neonates who had perinatal risk factors and examined the association between plasma TGF-β₁ levels and platelet counts in these newborns to investigate the role of TGF-β₁ in the pathogenesis of neonatal thrombocytopenia. Three groups were defined in this prospective study: group 1, thrombocytopenic neonates (n = 22) who had perinatal risk factors; group 2, nonthrombocytopenic neonates who had similar perinatal risk factors for thrombocytopenia (n = 20); group 3, healthy and nonthrombocytopenic neonates without any risk factors (n = 20). Plasma TGF-β₁ levels were measured with ELISA. Plasma TGF-β₁ levels of the thrombocytopenic neonates were significantly lower than those of healthy nonthrombocytopenic neonates but did not differ significantly from nonthrombocytopenic neonates who had similar perinatal risk factors for thrombocytopenia. There was a significant positive correlation between plasma TGF-β₁ levels and platelet counts. Further studies are needed to determine the cause of low plasma TGF-β₁ levels in thrombocytopenic neonates and to investigate the role of plasma TGF-β₁ levels in the pathogenesis of neonatal thrombocytopenia.