Cord blood prolidase activity correlates with gestational age and birth weight

Background: Prolidase, a specific iminopeptidase involved in collagen turnover, is especially active in growing tissues.

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between cord blood prolidase activity and both birth weight and gestational age.

Methods: Cord blood was collected consecutively from 50 healthy newborns (35 term, 15 preterm). Prolidase activity was measured in the samples using standard methods.

Results: Themean +/- SD cord blood prolidase activity was 41.4 +/- 6.9 U/l in term infants and 35.2 +/- 8.0 U/l in preterm infants and these were significantly different (p < 0.01). There were positive correlations between cord blood prolidase and both birth weight (r = 0.533, p < 0.01) and gestational age (r = 0.806, p < 0.01).

Conclusion: Cord blood prolidase activity may be a good indicator of fetal maturation and gestational age.