Cardiac troponin I in asphyxiated neonates.

Background: Cardiac troponins T (cTnT) and I (cTnI) are well-established markers in detecting myocardial ischemic damage in adults. Perinatal asphyxia is associated with cardiac dysfunction.

Objectives: To evaluate serum concentrations of cTnI in asphyxiated neonates and to investigate whether cTnI is correlated with the traditional markers of asphyxia.

Methods: Blood samples were collected from 13 asphyxiated neonates (umbilical artery pH<7.18 and either a 1-min Apgar score<4 or a 5-min Apgar score<7) and 39 controls. Data on gestation, birth weight, sex, Apgar scores, mode of delivery, umbilical pH, creatinine, serum activity of aspartate and alanine aminotransferase, and QTc interval were investigated.

Results: Median (range) cTnI concentrations were significantly higher in asphyxiated neonates with respect to healthy infants: 0.36 microg/l (0.05-11) versus 0.04 microg/l (0.04-0.06); p<0.01. In asphyxiated babies, no statistically significant correlations were found between concentrations of cTnI and the other markers of asphyxia.

Conclusions: In asphyxiated neonates, cTnI concentrations are higher with respect to healthy infants, suggesting the presence of myocardial damage in this group of high-risk patients. cTnI does not correlate with the traditional markers of asphyxia.