Neonatal cholestasis (Direct bilirubin level, [DBL] > 2mg/dl) was associated with increased levels of urinary malondialdehyde (uMDA) in a group of preterm infants. Using the HPLC and spectrophotometry, we measured uMDA in four infants with cholestasis (BW 1341 +/- 326 g, GA 29.3 +/- 1.9wks) and 29 controls (BW 1341 +/- 593 g, GA 29.5 +/- 4.1 wks). Samples were collected from 12 to 240 hours.

The groups were similar with respect to mode of delivery, Apgar scores, oxygen requirement, arterial oxygen content, and serum bilirubin levels during the first week of life. uMDA excretion levels (ng/mg of creatinine) and indices of liver function are shown below.

Multiple regression analysis revealed significant relationships between DBL and oxygen requirement on the first day of life, maximal total serum bilirubin concentration, birth weight, and MDA(HPLC). In these infants, cholestatic liver disease was associated with increased levels of urinary MDA, a product of lipid peroxidation, suggesting a role for reactive oxygen substances in liver damage. Table

Table 1 No caption available.
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