Troponin T as a useful marker for myocardial damage in neonates with perinatal asphyxia

ABSTRACT

This study was designed to delineate the role of cardiac troponin T in neonates with perinatal asphyxia as a marker for myocardial damage. It included 25 neonates suffering from per/natal asphyxia. They were 15 males and 10 females and their gestational age ranged from 37 to 41 weeks [group I]. Also 15 apparently healthy neonates of age and sex matched to group/were taken as control group [group II]. All neonates in the study were subjected to laboratory investigations as CBC, C-reactive protein; arterial blood gases [ABGS], blood glucose level and serum level of cardiac troponin T [TNT]. The mean serum level of [TNT] among asphyxiated neonates was 0.027 +/- 0.01 7ng/ml and was 0.011 +/- 0. 002ng/m/in control and there was statistical significant difference between both groups. There were 7 cases [28%] with tachycardia, 3 cases of them [%12] had irregular rhythm and heart failure. The mean level of [TNT] in patients with HF was 0.062 +/- 0. 048ng/ml and the mean level in the rest of asphyxiated newborns was 0.020 +/- 0.0033ng/ml. In this study there was high statistical significant negative correlation between TNT level and arterial PH, Po[2], HCO[3] and base excess [BE]. There was also high significant positive correlation between the mean TNT level and PCo2. This means that TNT mean level correlate with severity of perinatal asphyxia. In It would be useful to measure cardiac troponin T in all asphyxiated neonates. Then these patients with high level of TNT can then submitted to electrocardiographic and echocardiographic examination for detection of cardiac affection and to offer apportune treatment when required