Carnitine levels in neonatal hypoxia.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study is to determine carnitine levels in hypoxic-ischemiac neonates.


METHODS
Total and free carnitine levels were measured in 20 normal term neonates and 20 term neonates who were diagnosed as hypoxia-ischemia.


RESULTS
Both total carnitine levels (43.7 +/- 10.0 microg/dl vice 27.8 +/- 11.8 microg/dl, p<0.0001) and free carnitine levels (28.0 +/- 8.8 vice 13.2 +/- 6.8 microg/dl, p<0.0001) were lower in the hypoxic-ischemic group). Additionally acyl/total carnitine ratio was higher in the asphyxic group (0.33 +/- 0.20 vice 0.56 +/- 0.24, p<0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study show that neonates with hypoxia-ischemia suffer carnitine deficiency.
Cam
Halit
H
Department of Pediatrics, Istanbul University, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty. hacam@istanbul.edu.tr
Yildirim
Behçet
B
Aydin
Ahmet
A
Say
Aysu
A
D001238:Asphyxia Neonatorum / Q000097:blood*; D002331:Carnitine / Q000172:deficiency*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003677:Deficiency Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology
D002331:Carnitine