Cardiac troponin T as a diagnostic marker of hypoxic myocardial injury in sick full-term and preterm neonates

ABSTRACT

Perinatal asphyxia is associated with cardiac dysfunction; this may be secondary to myocardial ischemia. Also, in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome, cardiac function is negatively influenced by the severity of lung disease. Cardiac troponin T [cTnT] is the ideal marker used in the detection of myocardial injury. The aim of the present work was to provide evidence of the usefulness of cTnT in the diagnosis of myocardial injury in neonates after intrauterine hypoxia or with respiratory distress syndrome. Forty five neonates were enrolled in the study and were divided into three groups group I, fifteen full-term neonates with perinatal asphyxia; group II, fifteen preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome; and control group, fifteen healthy full term neonates. Arterial blood gases were measured for sick neonates; serum cTnT was assayed and echocardiography was performed for all neonates. Serum cTnT levels were significantly higher in sick neonates [groups I and II] than the control group [P<0.001]. There was significant correlation between cTnT levels and arterial blood gases [pH, PO[2], PCO[2], HCO[3]] and also with echocardiographic parameters of ventricular function [FS% and EF%] [P<0.01]. cTnT is a useful diagnostic marker used for assessment of post hypoxic myocardial injury in fullterm neonates with perinatal asphyxia or preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome