Plasma proteins modifications in pre-term newborns

The modifications of the level of 10 plasma proteins representing 90-95% in weight of total plasma proteins, were evaluated by means of the molecular interpretation of agarose gel electrophoresis of fresh plasma. The level of some proteins: pre-albumin (pre-Alb), α1-antitrypsin (α1-At), orosomucoid (α1-AG), α2-macroglobulin (α2-M), haptoglobin (Hp) and fibrinogen (Fibr) was also determined by means of radial immunodiffusion. The proteins which showed marked reduction of concentration were: pre-Alb, α1-AG and Hp; Alb, α-lipo and γ-globulins were reduced to a lesser extent; α1-At, Tf, C3 and Fibr. showed mild reduction, while the level of α2-M was within normal adult range. The increase of orosomucoid and, above all, of α2-M paralleled the gestation time.