Usefulness of serum lipid peroxide as a diagnostic test for hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy in the full-term neonate

To evaluate the usefulness of serum lipid peroxide (LPO) for hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in full-term neonates.

Diagnostic test evaluation forming three groups: (1) healthy full-term neonates (n=59), (2) at-risk full-term neonates without HIE (n=57) and (3) at-risk full-term neonates with HIE (n=57). HIE diagnosis was made using the Finer clinical classification at 48 h after birth. Serum LPO was taken at 4 h after birth and determined by spectrophotometry.

One hundred seventy-three full-term neonates were studied. Fifty-one of the at-risk full-term neonates with HIE (51/57) had high serum LPO and two of the at-risk full-term neonates without HIE (2/57) (P<0.001). Serum LPO level had 89% sensitivity, 96% specificity, 96% positive predictive value, 90% negative predictive value, 24 positive probability ratio, 0.11 negative probability ratio and 92% diagnostic usefulness.

Serum LPO level could be a useful test for early diagnosis of HIE in full-term neonates.