Clinical immunology
Elevated soluble E-selectin concentrations in infants are associated with a short term of breast feeding, prematurity and intrauterine growth retardation

Purpose: Soluble adhesion molecules are the markers of early atherosclerotic changes. The aim of our study was to evaluate the concentrations of soluble adhesion molecules in blood sera of healthy children during first years of their life in relationship with a course of intrauterine life and the time of breast-feeding after birth.
Materials and methods: The studies were carried out in 41 healthy children at age between 18 to 30 months. The concentrations of the soluble forms of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) as well as soluble E-selectin were determined by a quantitative immunoenzymatic ELISA method.
Results: The concentrations of soluble E-selectin were significantly higher in children breast fed for 3-6 months when compared to children who were breast-fed longer. The statistically significant negative correlations were confirmed between the concentrations of soluble E-selectin in sera of infants and a body weight and length at birth.
Conclusions: The results of our investigations can suggest that elevated concentrations of soluble E-selectin in sera of infants can be associated with a short period of breast feeding, prematurity or intrauterine growth retardation