Meconium mineral content in small for gestational age neonates.

The mineral concentration of meconia of small for gestational age (SGA) newborns were compared with those of appropriate for gestational age (AGA) newborns of similar gestational ages (GA) to determine whether differences may provide clues of possible nutritional deficits of SGA infants, given that levels of meconium minerals could indicate the use of minerals by the fetus and the sufficiency of the maternal supply of minerals. Twenty-one SGA and 24 AGA newborns were included. Eleven SGA and 15 AGA were < or = 35 weeks GA.

Cord blood red cell osmotic fragility: a comparison between preterm and full-term newborn infants.

Background: The osmotic fragility of red blood cells reflects their membrane ability to maintain structural integrity. The osmolality at which the cells lyse is related to their shape, deformability, surface area/volume ratio and intrinsic membrane properties. In cord blood, there may be differences between premature and term infants, and be influenced by maternal medication and other factors.