Enhanced Urinary Immunoreactive Thromboxane in neonatal Necrotixing Enterocolitis

Abstract

• Urinary thromboxane B₂ levels increased threefold to 20-fold in infants with neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis compared with healthy infants and infants with benign causes of hemepositive stools. Increased urinary thromboxane B₂ levels were detected coincidently with the initial signs of necrotizing enterocolitis, and values paralleled the course of the illness. Infants with serious illnesses other than necrotizing enterocolitis had increased urinary thromboxane B₂ levels but with lower values than those of infants with necrotizing enterocolitis. Indomethacin therapy appeared to reduce urinary thromboxane B₂ levels and reduce their usefulness as a marker of illness. Another product of platelet activation, β-thromboglobulin, was increased in the urine of infants with necrotizing enterocolitis. Decreased platelet counts in infants with necrotizing enterocolitis correlated inversely with urinary thromboxane. Results of β-thromboglobulin and platelet studies are consistent with the concept that platelet consumption due to ischemic thrombosis was the source of enhanced thromboxane excretion. (AJDC 1987;141:686-689)