title: Effect of therapeutic hypothermia on chromosomal aberration in perinatal asphyxia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Perinatal asphyxia is a major cause for neonatal mortality and morbidity around the world. The reduction of O2 results in the generation of reactive oxygen species which interact with nucleic acid and make alteration in the structure and functioning of the genome. We studied the effect of therapeutic hypothermia on chromosomes with karyotyping.
  
  
  METHODS
  Babies in the hypothermia group were cooled for the first 72 h, using gel packs. Rectal temperature of 33-34°C was maintained. Blood sample was collected after completion of therapeutic hypothermia for Chromosomal analysis. It was done with IKAROS Karyotyping system, Metasystems, based on recommendations of International system of human cytogenetic nomenclature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median chromosomal aberration was lower in hypothermia [2(0-5)] than control group [4(1-7)] and chromatid breakage was commonest aberration seen. Chromosomal aberration was significantly higher in severe encephalopathy group than moderate encephalopathy group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that the TH significantly reduces DNA damage in perinatal asphyxia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India.
authors.forename: Bahubali D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Gane
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nandhakumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India.
authors.forename: Vishnu
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bhat
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India.
authors.forename: Ramachandra
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rao
keywords: Chromosomal aberration; karyotyping; perinatal asphyxia; therapeutic hypothermia