Backgrounds: Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) significantly increased mortality and morbidity.
Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of serum lipid peroxide (LPO) as an early prediction of HIE in full-term neonates.
Methods: This case control study was conducted on group 1 which included 30 asphyxiated full term infants delivered at Dar Al Shefaa hospital and Sayed Galal university hospital during a period of ten months from November 2018 to August 2019. These cases were compared to group 2 which included 30 age matched apparently healthy term neonates as a control group. Both groups of patients and control were subjected to:
1. Full maternal history with special emphasis on medical and obstetric data at delivery, including the mode of delivery, Apgar score at 1 and 5 min and resuscitation data
2. Assessment of gestational age, anthropometric measurements (head circumference, weight and length), vital signs and full systemic examination.
3. Neurological examination with assessment of severity of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy using Sarnat and Sarnat staging (1976).
Results: There was a highly significant difference in serum lipid peroxide between cases and control groups (P value < 0.001). Lipid peroxide was statistically highly significant in cases delivered by caesarean section rather than by vaginal delivery (p=0.017). There was a significant negative correlation between lipid peroxide level and 5th minute Apgar score & blood pH and a significant positive correlation with base excess, sarnat stage and mortality.
Conclusion: LPO level is a useful marker for early detection of HIE in full-term neonate, the grade of hypoxia and the outcome prediction.