Electrocardiographic and echocardiographic changes in perinatal asphyxia.

OBJECTIVE

To study the usefulness of cardiac enzymes in evaluating myocardial damage in perinatal asphyxia.

METHODS

Thirty term babies with perinatal asphyxia and without any congenital malformations were selected as cases. They were compared with thirty healthy term babies without asphyxia. Myocardial dysfunction was evaluated using clinical, electrocardiography, echocardiography and cardiac enzymes i.e, troponin-T and CK-MB levels.

RESULTS

Among the 30 cases 23 had evidence of myocardial involvement while one baby in the control group had ECG evidence compatible with cardiac involvement. Cardiac enzymes were significantly increased in babies with perinatal asphyxia. The mean level of C-troponin-T among cases and controls were 0.22+/-0.28 and 0.003+/-0.018 while CK-MB levels were 121+/-77.4 IU/L and 28.8 +/- 20.2 IU/L respectively. C-troponin-T had higher sensitivity and specificity compared to CK-MB levels. Moreover, C troponin-T levels correlated well with severity and outcome in babies with perinatal asphyxia.

CONCLUSION

C-Tropopnin assay is useful in evaluating the severity of myocardial damage and outcome in perinatal asphyxia.