Background: Neonatal asphyxia is a significant cause of neonatall morbidity and mortality worldwide.
Aim: This study aims to is to evaluate the significance of the cord blood ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) level as a diagnostic marker for neonatal asphyxia and to determine the associations of IMA levels with doppler findings in diagnosis of neonatal asphyxia in high risk pregnancy.
Materials and Methods: This is a prospective case control study that will be performed at obstetrics and gynecology department at Al-zahraa University Hospital. The study was carried out on 90 pregnant women who are attend the obstetrics department for labour and divided into two groups: Group A:(control group)it was include 30 healthy pregnant women. Group B:(study group) it was include 60 pregnant women with high risk pregnancy. Doppler measurements were obtained from umbilical and middle cerebral arteries,C/P ratio.IMA was measured by ELISA kits and expressed as picomole per milliliter.
Results: Ischemia-modified albumin levels were significantly higher in neonates of complicated pregnancies as compared to uncomplicated pregnancies (P<0.001). They were higher in newborns with neonatal asphyxia as compared to healthy controls (P=0.004).The C/P ratio-pulsatility index (PI) showed a significant difference between normal and complicated pregnancies with neonatal asphyxia (P<0.0001). IMA levels were significantly increased in cases with abnormal C/P ratio-PI.
Conclusion: Cord blood IMA levels may be accepted as a useful marker in diagnosis of neonatal asphyxia in high risk pregnancy. Abnormal umblical artery Doppler examinations are associated with elevated IMA levels in high risk pregnancy.