Erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase, plasma proteins, pseudocholinesterase, and arylesterase development was investigated in groups of premature infants of varying gestational ages, comparing the detected levels with those observed in groups of healthy older children and adults. A rapid increase in protein concentration was evident between 28 and 40 weeks gestation, followed by a slower rate of increase until 1 year of age. A rapid increase in plasma pseudocholinesterase and arylesterase activity occurred from 28 weeks gestation to 1 year of age, with no significant changes in activities from those of adults occurring after 1 year. In contrast, the erythrocyte acetylcholinesterase levels increased most markedly between 40 weeks gestation and 1 year of age. Premature infant plasma degraded procaine hydrochloride and insecticide paraoxon more slowly than full‐term infants, while the rates of hydrolysis for these 2 groups were significantly lower than those detected for children older than 1 year or for adults.
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Ecobichon et al. (1973) studied this question.