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.

Zinc as a potential enteroprotector in oral rehydration solutions: its role in nitric oxide metabolism.

Zinc has been recognized as an antioxidant with potential for chronic and acute effects. Oxidative damage produced by free radicals, including nitric oxide (NO), is responsible for certain types of intestinal malabsorption syndromes and diarrhea. Under physiologic or mildly stimulatory conditions for NO synthesis, the small intestine characteristically is in a proabsorptive state; however, an excessive production of NO triggers formation of cyclic nucleotides, which cause secretion and malabsorption.

Effect of gestational age on cord blood plasma copper, zinc, magnesium and albumin.

Background: The transport of essential trace elements from mother to fetus varies throughout gestation, and the role of transport proteins in the neonate and the mother may change during pregnancy. Magnesium, often used as tocolytic agent, may reach the fetus and appear in cord blood at higher than normal concentrations.

Aims: To determine cord blood plasma zinc, copper and magnesium concentrations, as well as plasma albumin in premature and full-term newborns, and correlate these values with those of maternal blood plasma at birth.

Zinc supplementation in oral rehydration solutions: experimental assessment and mechanisms of action.

Background: Zinc deficiency is associated with chronic diarrhea. This condition is generally linked to an overproduction of nitric oxide (NO), which induces secretion and cellular damage as a free radical. Use of oral rehydration solutions (ORS) is an important part of diarrhea treatment, especially early in infancy and for patients with cholera.