Evoluation of some biochemical alterations in neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy [HIE]

The main objective of this work was to study the evolution of serum L- carnitine and other metabolic derangements that may contribute significantly to the severity of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy [HIE] including serum aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT], creatinine and electrolyte levels as well as acid-base status. It was conducted on 23 full-term newborns that fulfilled the clinical criteria of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy in addition to ten healthy full-term newborns of matched weight, gestational and post-natal ages as a control group. It was concluded that L-carnitine may be a useful marker for the severity of HIE. Serum creatinine, AST and ALT levels were significantly increased in all grades of HIE

Serum L-carnitine in neonatal hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy

Babies fulfilling criteria of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy [HIE] were studied to evaluate clinical and biochemical parameters. 26 full-term babies suffering from HIE were prospectively studied. A group of 12 healthy full-term infants of matched gestational age, birth weight and postnatal age served as control. The diseased babies were examined for signs of HIE and were classified into 3 groups according to the severity. For each baby serum L-carnitine, serum electrolytes, calcium and blood glucose levels were determined. Median serum L-carnitine was 6.2 mg/L in control babies. Babies with grade III HIE had serum L-carnitine level of 0.7 mg/L that was significantly lower compared to control, whereas babies with grade I and grade II had the median carnitine level not significantly different in comparison to control. Median serum sodium level in control babies was 139 mEq/L, whereas sodium level in all grades of HIE was not significantly different in comparison to control 136 mEq/L and 138 mEq/L in grade I, II and III respectively. Concerning serum potassium, significant hyperkalemia was found in grade II and III as compared to control [4.3 mEq/L]. Insignificant differences were found in blood glucose and serum calcium between HIE groups and the control group