[Normal urine levels of the aminoterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (NTx) in premature newborns in the first week of life].

Urinary excretion of type I collagen cross-linked aminoterminal telopeptide (NTx) is a specific index of bone resorption. The Authors have studied urinary NTx concentrations in 60 urine samples of preterm infants, from 32 to 36 weeks of gestation, to evaluate the trend of the bone marker in the first week of life. Urine samples were collected at 1, 3 and 7 days of life.

Procalcitonin serum levels in perinatal bacterial and fungal infection of preterm infants.

Aim: To determine reference values for procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) for gestational age and to use these parameters as diagnostic markers of perinatal bacterial and fungal infection.

Methods: PCT and CRP serum levels were measured in a case-control study in a group of 35 low birthweight infants (< 34 wk of gestation). 27 babies (77%) had clinical signs of infection confirmed by positive blood cultures and were compared to 8 (23%) uninfected matched patients.

Serial protein S-100 serum levels in preterm babies with perinatal asphyxia and periventricular white matter lesions.

In the last years new diagnostic technologies were developed to assess brain development and to identify early brain injury. Some of them are very attractive methods but invasive, expensive, and time-consuming. The availability of clinically useful serum markers of risk for perinatal brain damage will easily permit the development of rational strategies for prevention of cerebral insults in neonates and more accurate prognostic counseling.

[Normal urinary levels of telopeptide aminoterminal (NTx) of type I collagen in healthy term newborns and infants in the first month of life].

The Authors have studied urinary aminoterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (NTx), a bone catabolism marker of recent determination, by an enzyme-linked immunoassorbent assay (OSTEOMARK) in 80 urine samples of term healthy infants in the first 3 months of life. Highly significant variations have been compared in the whole period studied (P = 0.000).

Biliary carcinoembryonic antigen in the diagnosis of occult hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer.

Background And Objectives: Twenty five percent of patients who undergo radical surgical treatment for colorectal cancer have occult hepatic metastases that become evident during the follow-up period. We evaluated whether biliary carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) measurements could be used in these patients to diagnose occult hepatic metastases.

Methods: Three groups of patients were enrolled in the study.