Cord blood plasma reference intervals for potential sepsis markers: Pro-adrenomedullin, pro-endothelin, and pro-atrial natriuretic peptide

ObjectivesTo establish reference values in cord blood of the following new sepsis markers: pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM), pro-endothelin (CT-proET-1), and pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (MR-proANP).MethodsMR-proADM, CT-proET-1, MR-proANP, and procalcitonin (PCT) were measured in cord blood of newborn infants by Time Resolved Amplified Cryptate Emission (TRACE) technology. The inclusion criteria in the control group (n = 194) was the absence of any clinical sign or risk factor of sepsis. A group of 73 newborn infants presenting with risk factors of sepsis at delivery was also studied.ResultsThe median values (reference interval) of CT-proET-1, MR-pro-ADM, and MR-proANP measured in cord blood plasma were 72 pmol/L (39–115), 0.84 nmol/L (0.5–1.38), and 163 pmol/L (76–389), respectively. The PCT reference interval was not significantly different from that previously described in cord blood serum.ConclusionsThe reference intervals established will serve as a starting point for further clinical investigations aimed to elucidate the potential prognostic/diagnostic value of these markers in neonatal sepsis management.