1H-NMR metabolic profiling of human neonatal urine

Abstract

Object: The measurement of different urine components and their changes over time may provide comprehensive and early information about perinatal metabolic processes and physiological changes. We hypothesized that (1) H-NMR-spectroscopy generating a complex spectral profile without pre-selection of urinary metabolites could identify metabolites determining the neonatal physiological status and discriminating between different metabolic states.

Materials and methods: We studied spot urine of three groups of neonates (healthy term-born, term-born with non-specific bacterial infections, and preterm neonates) for the first 6 days of life using (1) H-NMR-spectroscopy. In the group of healthy neonates metabolites changing were identified and their excretion patterns compared between groups.

Results: Six metabolites indicating physiological changes were identified: N-methylnicotinamide (NAD (+)-pathway), formate, hippurate, betaine (kidney development), taurine (neuronal development), and bile acids (hepatic clearance). While the dynamic changes over the first 6 days were the same for all metabolites in both groups of term-born neonates, the excretion of N-methylnicotinamide and taurine was significantly higher in preterm neonates compared to healthy term neonates and neonates with bacterial infections from the third day after birth (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Urine analysis using (1) H-NMR-spectroscopy could identify markers for perinatal metabolic changes. Further studies have to clarify if the proposed physiological interpretation will correlate with long-term physiological development.