Electrolyte status in birth asphyxia.

Objective. To study electrolyte status in asphyxiated newborns of different severity in early neonatal period and compare with controls. Methods. Sodium, potassium and total calcium levels were estimated in the serum samples of asphyxiated newborns of different severity and control group immediately after birth. Results. Mean serum sodium level was significantly lower (122.1 ± 6.0 mEq/L vs 138.8 ± 2.7 mEq/L; P < 0.001), mean serum potassium was higher (5.05 ± 0.63 mEq/L vs 4.19 ± 0.40 mEq/L; P < 0.001) and mean serum calcium level was found lower (6.85 ± 0.95 mg/dl vs 9.50 ± 0.51 mg/dl; P < 0.001) in cases than controls. Among cases, a strong positive linear correlation was found between the serum sodium, serum calcium levels and their Apgar scores, between sodium levels and total calcium levels and significant negative linear correlation between Apgar scores and serum potassium level. Conclusion. Among cases, hyponatremia and hypocalcemia developed early and simultaneously and the decrease in their serum levels was directly proportional to each other and to the degree of asphyxia. Though, mean potassium level was within the normal limit, the value was higher among cases than controls and directly proportional to asphyxia.

Urinary uric acid in preterm neonates.

Objective. Study of uric acid level in spot urine of normal preterm AGA (appropriate for gestational age) babies in day one of their life. Methods. Spot urine samples were collected from 45 normal preterm neonates within 24 hours of their birth for estimation of uric acid. Results. The mean uric acid level was 36.50 ± 5.99 mg/dl in normal preterm neonates as compared to 18.40 ± 0.45 mg/dl in normal term babies (documented in another study) (p < 0.001). Also a significant negative linear correlation between body weight and urinary uric acid level was found { r (correlation coefficient) = – 0.970, P (probability) < 0.001}. Conclusion. Higher mean uric acid level was found in spot urine samples of preterm normal neonates than that of normal term babies on day one. Further, urinary uric acid levels were found inversely proportional to the body weight or to the gestational age (as they are AGA) of the babies.