Abstract 205

Aims: Pancreatitis Associated Protein (PAP) is raised in adults with acute pancreatitis. Reports of elevated PAP in neonates with cystic fibrosis (CF) have led to the suggestion that PAP gene expression could be triggered solely by the altered embryonic pancreas. Human exocrine pancreatic function has been reported to be defective in the preterm infant. We examined whether serum PAP was detectable in a group of preterm neonates. Methods: serum measurements of PAP (Elisa method), total pancreatic amylase (enzymatic colorometric method, Boehringer Mannheim, UK) and lipase (kinetic colorometric method, Sigma Diagnostics, UK) in 39 preterm neonates, aged between 0-30 days (Gp 1) and 19 babies aged 31-60 days (Gp 2) respectively. Results: median (range) [n]Table 18 (46%) of babies had PAP levels in the adult range. There was no detectable effect of IUGR or ethnic origin (black v white:p=0.32) on PAP levels. 12 (63%) of Gp 2 babies had PAP levels in the adult range. Conclusion: preterm infants appear to selectively express pancreatic lipase and PAP but not pancreatic amylase. PAP may not be useful in screening for CF in preterm infants.

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