Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin(NGAL) and lactoferrin (Lf) are among the keycomponents of the innate immune system due to theirability to bind iron with high affinity and thus controlinflammation. The aim of this study was to test the useof NGAL and LF measurements in meconium for theassessment of the intrauterine homeostasis. NGALand Lf concentrations were measured using ELISAkits in all serial meconium portions (n=81) collectedfrom 20 healthy neonates. Mean±SD meconiumconcentration of Lf was 45.07±78.53lg/g and morethan 1000-fold higher compared with that of NGAL at1.93±2.46 ng/g. The correlation between the twoproteins (r=0.83, p\0.0001) was found only forportions with Lf concentrations[25lg/g. Highvariability of NGAL and Lf concentrations in meco-nium and their correlations prove their key role asbiomarkers of the fetal condition in utero. NGAL andLf measured in meconium are candidate biomarkersfor fetal iron status.

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• Correlation between the concentrations of lactoferrinand neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in meconium