Evidence for age-related differences in human fibrinogen

Abstract

Fibrinogen has previously been demonstrated to exist in a 'fetal' form, in cord blood of term infants, with increased sialic acid content compared to adult fibrinogen. The functional implications of these differences are reflected in prolonged thrombin clotting times in newborns as well as differences in polymerization of fibrin from 'fetal' fibrinogen. Despite numerous studies of fibrinogen structure and function, the age at which 'fetal' fibrinogen reverts to the adult form, as well as the physiological significance of this phenomenon remains unknown. This study was designed to determine whether the difference between the 'fetal' and the 'adult' fibrinogen molecule persists in a 'childhood..