Urinary polyamines in preterm infants

Polyamines were determined in urine of 22 preterm infants (mean 30.0 weeks gestation) from birth to 22 weeks of age, and in full-term infants in the first week of life. A significant decline in urine putrescine and spermidine levels occurred with increased postnatal age in preterm infants. At expected term preterm infants had significantly higher levels of polyamines in urine than full-term infants at the same postconceptional age. No constant correlations between weight or linear growth velocity and urinary polyamine excretion could be established in this group of infants. Altered urine polyamine values were detected in two clinical situations: hyperbilirubinemia was associated with increased urine spermidine (and with increased spermidine/putrescine ratio), and liver disease was associated with increased levels of both putrescine and spermidine in urine.