González-Losada C, Dorta-Contreras AJ

Language: Spanish
References: 0
Page: 37-46
PDF size: 103.02 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: perinatal asphyxia is a health problem which may cause neurodevelopmental alterations in newborns. Serum determinations of neuron-specific enolase, lactate dehydrogenase, and aspartate aminotransferase have been used as markers of perinatal asphyxia.
Objectives: evaluate the value of serum determinations of lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase and neuron-specific enolase as molecular markers of perinatal asphyxia.
Methods: a cross-sectional observational descriptive study was conducted of 41 asphyxiated newborns classified as different grades of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy according to Sarnat's scale. Serum samples were taken at birth and 72 hours later. Serum determinations of neuron-specific enolase were obtained by ELISA. Lactate dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase were quantified by espectrophotometry.
Results: all the patients had high serum values of the three analytes 24 and 72 hours after birth. Enzyme values did not vary significantly from 24 to 72 hours after birth, not considering the grade of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. A positive correlation was found between enzyme values for neuron-specific enolase and lactate dehydrogenase at 24 and 72 hours. It was not possible to differentiate the grade of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy via the serum levels of these enzymes.
Conclusions: the values of these enzyme determinations contribute to describe the status of neonates with perinatal asphyxia from a biochemical point of view.