Lipid peroxides in the serum of asphyxiated neonates.
Lipid peroxides (LPOs) are released when free radicals react with unsaturated fatty acids in cell membranes during hypoxic ischemic insult in neonates. We aimed to assess LPO concentrations in the serum of asphyxiated and non-asphyxiated neonates and examine their correlation with the severity of asphyxia.



This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on a group of asphyxiated neonates and controls. Serum LPO concentrations was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at 4-6 h of life in all subjects. Encephalopathy was classified according to Sarnat's stages into mild, moderate and severe at 12-24 h of life. LPO was compared between groups and was correlated with severity of encephalopathy and mortality.



A total of 90 infants were enrolled; of them 45 had asphyxia. Serum LPO (nmol ml(-1)) was significantly greater in the asphyxia group (6.9±3.01 vs 1.78±1.09, P<0.001). It correlated positively with severity of encephalopathy (P<0.001) and negatively with Apgar score at 5 min (r=-0.532, P<0.001) and with initial blood gases pH (r=-0.664, P<0.001). LPO measured greater concentrations in infants who died compared with asphyxiated survivors (11.64±1.31 vs 6.18±2.48, P=0.0004).



LPO was increased and correlated with severity of asphyxia as well as with mortality. Further studies are warranted to examine whether it is only a marker for outcome or a contributor in the pathogenesis of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.
Department of Pediatrics, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
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Ramy
Department of Pediatrics, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
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Al Sharany
Division of Newborn Services, The George Washington University Hospital and Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.
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Mohamed
Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
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Madani
Department of Pediatrics, Matareya Hospital, Cairo, Egypt.
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Saleh
Division of Newborn Services, The George Washington University Hospital and Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA.
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H
Aly
D000328:Adult; D001034:Apgar Score; D001238:Asphyxia Neonatorum / Q000097:blood* / Q000401:mortality; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D020925:Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain / Q000401:mortality*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008054:Lipid Peroxides / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012372:ROC Curve; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D008054:Lipid Peroxides