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Lactate dehydrogenase predicts hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy in newborn infants: a preliminary study
Author(s) -
Karlsson Mathias,
WibergItzel Eva,
Chakkarapani Ela,
Blennow Mats,
Winbladh Birger,
Thoresen Marianne
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
acta pædiatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2010.01802.x
Subject(s) - medicine , encephalopathy , lactate dehydrogenase , pediatrics , cardiology , biochemistry , enzyme , chemistry
Abstract Background: Enzyme leakage as a result of hypoxia‐ischaemia induced cell damage in affected organs is seen together with hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) after perinatal asphyxia. Aim: To investigate whether plasma lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and aspartate aminotransferase [AST] during the first 12 h after birth predict HIE and adverse neurodevelopment outcome in newborn term infants with intra‐partum signs of foetal distress. Methods: Enzymes were measured within 12 h post partum in newborn infants with differing degree of HIE (n = 41) and in infants with signs of foetal distress during birth (n = 205) without HIE (non‐HIE group). All infants were randomized into two groups. One group (n = 123) was used for calculation of cut off limits for the enzymes studied and the other group (n = 123) was used for calculation of the predictive value of the enzymes for detection of HIE. Results: Using ROC curves, a cut off level of 1049 U/L for [LDH] was the best predictor of HIE (sensitivity 100% and specificity 97%) but also for long term outcome after HIE. Conclusion: [LDH] is a good predictor of HIE during the first 12 h after birth. This result is of clinical interest offering a potential inexpensive and safe prognostic marker in newborn infants with perinatal asphyxia.