All issues > Volume 42(2); 1999

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1999;42(2):195-202. Published online February 15, 1999.

Clinical Efficiency of Cardiac Troponin T for Myocardial Damage in Neonatal Asphyxia

Nam Soo NS Kang¹, Jae Kyun JK Yoon¹, Chang Sung CS Son¹, Joo Won JW Lee¹, Young Chang YC Tokgo¹, Sang Hee SH Kim²

¹Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea
²Department of Pediatrics, Gacheon College of Medicine, Chung-Ang Gil Hospital, Incheon, Korea

Abstract

Purpose
: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficiency of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) in detecting myocardial damage in neonatal asphyxia and to compare the diagnostic value of cTnT with creatine kinase MB(CK-MB).
Methods
: Sixty-three neonates were enrolled in this study, consisting of 27 asphyxiated infants (asphyxiated group; 1-min or 5-min Apgar score≤6) and 36 healthy infants(control group). The two groups were divided to 4 subgroups as follows; group Ⅰ(17 preterm asphyxiated neonates), group Ⅱ(10 full-term asphyxiated neonates), group Ⅲ(16 preterm healthy neonates), group Ⅳ(20 full-term healthy neonates). Serum cTnT was measured within 24 hours, at 24-47 hours, and 48-72 hours after birth, respectively. Serum CK-MB was measured within 24 hours after birth.
Results
: 1) cTnT within 24 hours in asphyxiated group was significantly higher than in the control group(P<0.05). 2) cTnT in group Ⅱ was not significantly higher than in group Ⅰ(P>0.05), whereas CK-MB in group Ⅱ it was higher than in group Ⅰ(P<0.001). Between group Ⅲ and Ⅳ, cTnT and CK-MB showed significant differences(P<0.05). 3) cTnT did not change with gestational age or birthweight. CK-MB was correlated to birthweight and gestational age (Fig. 1, 2). 4) Twelve asphyxiated infants had at least one abnormal cTnT(>0.2μg/L). Ten of them(83%) had a tricuspid insufficiency of moderate or severe degree.
Conclusion
: cTnT is a more heart-specific serodiagnostic marker than other markers in asphyxiated neonates with suspected myocardial damage.

Keywords :Neonatal asphyxia, Cardiac troponin T, Myocardial damage