Cardiac troponin t levels of umbilical cord in neonates with abnormal fetal heart rate

Most neonatal encephalopathy disorders appear to be caused by perinatal events. Persistent myocardial ischemia leads to cellular necrosis and release of troponin from cardiac muscles. Fetal distress during labor may be detected by monitoring the fetal heart rate. However little is known about the relationship, if any, that exists between fetal heart rate abnormalities and the fetal cardiac musculature and its function. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship, if any, of umbilical cord serum levels of cardiac troponin T with fetal bradycardia or late deceleration. In this cross sectional study, troponin T level in umbilical cord blood of 80 neonates are measured. There were 23 versus 57 fetuses with and without late deceleration or bradycardia. Level of cardiac troponin T in umbilical blood of neonates with fetal bradycardia or late deceleration was elevated in comparison to neonates without bradycardia or late deceleration. There was no relation between umbilical troponin T level and mode of delivery. Infants with fetal bradycardia or late deceleration during labor had significantly higher cord cardiac troponin T levels. If troponin level is normal, the probability of hypoxia will be very low

Maternal determinants of giving birth to low-birth-weight neonates

Low-birth-weight [LBW] is universally used as an indicator of health status and is an important subject of national concern and a focus of health policy. LBW has been shown to be associated with a higher risk for childhood mortality and morbidity. To determine the important risk factors which could affect the delivery of LBW neonates. This case-control study was undertaken to determine some risk factors for LBW in two university hospitals in Tehran during a 12-month period between 2002 and 2003. One hundred and sixty neonates constituted the LBW group and 300 neonates constituted the control group. Maternal risk factors including body mass index [BMI], educational level, interval between pregnancies, history of previous delivery of LBW neonates, abortion, infertility, unwanted pregnancy, and diseases were analyzed between the two groups. Mean of maternal age was similar between the two groups. Of 160 LBW neonates, 58% were females and 42% males. It was found that mother's BMI, unwanted pregnancy, educational level of mother, short and long intervals between pregnancies, previous history of delivering LBW neonates, and maternal diseases are associated with an increased risk of LBW. The majority of factors which lead to the delivery of LBW neonates are preventable