Plasma ammonia levels in very low birth weight preterm infants

The mean plasma ammonia level at birth of 36 very low birth welght infants (≤32weeks of gestation) was 71±26 μmol/L (121±45 μg/dl), which is similar to the mean level in preterm infants born at ≥32 weeks of gestational age. Plasma ammonia levels declined to 42±14 μmol/L (72±24 μg/dl) at 7 days of age; mean ammonia levels at 14, 21, and 28 days of age were similar to that at 7 days of age and to the mean plasma ammonia level of 14 healthy term infants at birth (45±9 μmol/L (77±16 μg/dl)).