Oxidative stress in perinatal asphyxia in relation to outcome

To study the serum levels of oxidative stress markers - malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl in babies with perinatal asphyxia and to correlate their levels with the outcome in terms of mortality and neurodevelopmental sequelae.

A group of 40 term AGA (appropriate for gestational age) infants with perinatal asphyxia were selected as cases and same number of healthy babies as controls. Serum levels of oxidative stress markers - malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl were determined in cord blood and at 48 hours of life. Their levels were correlated with the outcome of perinatal asphyxia in terms of mortality and the long term neurological outcome.

MDA and protein carbonyl, in cord blood were significantly higher among cases (5.88+/-1.40 micromol/L and 1.50+/-0.48 nmol/mg of protein respectively) than controls (3.11+/-0.82 micromol/L and 0.83+/-0.19 nmol/mg of protein respectively). Among the cases, MDA and protein carbonyl values at 48 hours of life (7.52 +/- 1.06 micrommol/L and 2.91 +/- 0.62 nmol/mg of protein respectively) were significantly higher than those at birth. MDA at birth and 48 hours was significantly higher among babies who had seizures than those who remained seizure free. These values were also significantly higher in babies who expired as compared to those who survived. Protein carbonyl values though higher in those who had seizures and in those who expired, were not statistically significant from controls. MDA and protein carbonyl at birth and 48 hours were higher in babies with developmental delay but the association was not statistically significant.

In hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), oxidative stress markers MDA and protein carbonyl are high at birth and rise further at 48 hours and the values correlate with the morbidity and mortality. Therefore, determining the serum levels of oxidative stress markers MDA and protein carbonyl will be of benefit in predicting the outcome in perinatal asphyxia.