Abstract
Absolute eosinophilia is common in premature infants. No clear correlation or etiologies have been proposed for eosinophilia in the premature. This study correlates the onset and peak of eosinophilia with a positive nitrogen balance. Serial eosinophil counts (x = 8/pt) were determined in 38 hospitalized, appropriately grown premature infants whose gestational ages ranged from 27-35 weeks. Absolute eosinophilia (> 700/mm3) was documented in 76% (29/38). Eosinophilia was mild (700-999/mm3) in 9, moderate (1,000-2,999/mm3) in 17, and marked (≥ 3,000/mm3) in 3 patients. The average time of onset was day 21. Peak eosinophilia was usually seen within one week of onset and lasted an average of 16 days. A consistant relationship (r = 0.8) was found between the day of peak eosinophilia (x = da 24) and the day at which birthweight was regained (x = da 23). Eosinophilia seldom occured before steady weight gain began. No association was apparent between the occurrence or degree of eosinophilia and gestational age, birth stress, presence of umbilical catheters, hyperalimentation solution, time of beginning or type of oral feeds. The majority of infants had respiratory disease and received antibiotics and transfusion therapy. Since there is increasing evidence that eosinophilia is an immunologic response, it is possible that it represents the response of a maturing immune system to antigenic stimuli. The data suggest that eosinophilia does appear to be strongly associated with the establishment of an anabolic state.
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Vaucher, Y., Gibson, E. 219 EOSINOPHILIA IN PREMATURE INFANTS. Pediatr Res 12 (Suppl 4), 400 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00224
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00224