“…However, as Na + ,K + -ATPase activity has been reported to increase after birth in preterm neonates,8 it is possible that the use of cord blood by Bistritzer et al affected their findings. In support of this hypothesis is the fact that they themselves reported a postnatal increase in erythrocyte Na + ,K + -ATPase activity in their preterm neonates 13. Finally, our findings are strengthened by the enrollment of a larger patient population including more immature preterm neonates and by the downregulation of the α 1 subunit isoform in term neonates, suggesting the presence of an indirect relation between erythrocyte Na + ,K + -ATPase activity and gestational age.…”