Hyperammonemia associated with perinatal asphyxia.
Twelve infants with severe perinatal asphyxia were found to have elevated blood ammonia levels (302 to 960 microgram/100 ml). In the seven survivors, hyperammonemia was associated with CNS irritability, hyperthermia, hypertension, and wide neonatal heart rate oscillations. Follow-up examinations revealed severe neurologic dysfunction in five of seven infants. CNS depression, hyperthermia, hypertension, and a nonreactive, fixed heart rate characterized the infants that died. These findings suggest a clinical entity secondary to perinatal asphyxia whose signs and symptoms may be related to hyperammonemia.
D000641:Ammonia / Q000097:blood*; D001238:Asphyxia Neonatorum / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006339:Heart Rate; D006501:Hepatic Encephalopathy / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male
D000641:Ammonia