Increased concentrations of D-dimers in newborn infants

Abstract

The concentrations of D-dimers (the D fragments of fibrinogen) were measured in blood from 15 preterm infants, and 45 born at full term, to establish normal ranges. The adult normal range is <0·25 mg/l; 31 of the 60 infants (52%) had values <0*25 mg/l, in 16 (27%) they were 0·25-0-5, in eight (13%) 0·5-1, in three (5%) 1-2, and in two (3%) 2-4. D-dimer concentrations measured during the neonatal period should be interpreted with caution.