Abstract
Serum alpha-amylase activity was determined in 41 newborn infants with proven bacterial infections and compared to values obtained in 18 healthy control neonates. In the infected neonates serum alpha-amylase value, as determined by the blue starch method, was only 40% that of healthy controls; the mean value of 175.1 ± 64.9 IU/l for healthy neonates was significantly higher (p < 0.0010) than the value of 82.8 ± 44.4 IU/l for the infected neonates. Alpha-amylase levels did not correlate with severity of infections or mortality. The sensitivity and specificity of serum alpha-amylase level of 100 IU/l were 75.6 and 94.7%; the positive and negative predictive values were 91.2 and 84.4%, respectively.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 138-143 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Biology of the Neonate |
Volume | 53 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1988 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Developmental Biology