Decreased serum alpha-amylase levels in infected Nigerian newborn infants

A. A. Okolo, A. Okorodudu, R. H. Glew, J. A. Omene

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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 languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)138-143
Number of pages6
JournalBiology of the Neonate
Volume53
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1988
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Developmental Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Decreased serum alpha-amylase levels in infected Nigerian newborn infants'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this