Use of brain lactate levels to predict outcome after perinatal asphyxia

Perinatal asphyxia is an important cause of neurological disability, but early prediction of outcome can be difficult. We performed proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and global cerebral blood flow measurements by xenon-133 clearance in 16 infants with evidence of perinatal asphyxia. Cerebral blood flow was determined daily in the first 3 days after birth in seven cases. Proton MRS was performed in 11 infants within the first week (mean 3.7 days), the rest within the first month (mean 22.2 days), and all had a scan around 3 months of age. Four infants died neonatally, three showed neurological deficits and the rest seemed to be progressing normally at neurodevelopmental follow-up at 1 year of age. A significant correlation was found between initial brain lactate levels and severe outcome ( p = 0.0003) just as between cerebral hyperperfusion (mean cerebral blood flow (CBF) 86ml(100g)^-1min^-1), ( p = 0.02) and outcome. The diagnostic and prognostic implications of early MRS and CBF are predictive of poor outcome in severely asphyxiated infants.     

Cholestasis in newborn infants with perinatal asphyxia

Abstract Objective : The aim of this study was to characterize the liver involvement in infants who have both neonatal asphyxia and neonatal cholestasis. Methods : We describe four asphyctic newborn infants (three born at term) who developed early (age 3.8 ± 2.1 days) intrahepatic neonatal cholestasis and in whom tests for causes of neonatal liver damage were negative. Results : The clinical picture and course were benign and similar to that of sporadic "idiopathic" neonatal hepatitis. Clinical signs and abnormal liver function tests tended to normalize within the first year of life in all. Conjugated bilirubin became normal at 6 months after the onset of cholestasis, while liver enzymes tended towards normal values thereafter, within 1 year of follow-up. Liver biopsy (taken in one patient) showed a typical picture of giant cell hepatitis; ultrastructure was nonspecific. Significance : Our results suggest that isolated asphyxia should be taken into account as a potential causal factor in term or pre-term asphyctic newborns who develop early "idiopathic" neonatal cholestasis.     

Early cranial ultrasound changes as predictors of outcome during first year of life in term infants with perinatal asphyxia

OBJECTIVES: To identify the types of early cranial ultrasound changes that were significant predictors of adverse outcome during the first year of life in asphyxiated term infants. METHODOLOGY: This was a prospective cohort study. Shortly after birth, cranial ultrasonography was carried out via the anterior fontanelles of 70 normal control infants and 104 asphyxiated infants with a history of fetal distress and Apgar scores of less than 6 at 1 and 5 min of life, or requiring endotracheal intubation and manual intermittent positive pressure ventilation for at least 5 min after birth. Neurodevelopmental assessment was carried out on the survivors at 1 year of age. RESULTS: Abnormal cranial ultrasound changes were detected in a significantly higher proportion (79.8%, or n = 83) of asphyxiated infants than controls (39.5%, or n = 30) (P < 0.0001). However, logistic regression analysis showed that only three factors were significantly associated with adverse outcome at 1 year of life among the asphyxiated infants. These were: (i) decreasing birthweight (for every additional gram of increase in birthweight, adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 0.999, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.998, 1.000; P = 0.047); (ii) a history of receiving ventilatory support during the neonatal period (adjusted OR = 8.3; 95%CI 2.4, 28.9; P = 0.0009); and (iii) hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy stage 2 or 3 (adjusted OR = 5.8; 95%CI 1.8, 18.6; P = 0.003). None of the early cranial ultrasound changes was a significant predictor. CONCLUSIONS: Early cranial ultrasound findings, although common in asphyxiated infants, were not significant predictors of adverse outcome during the first year of life in asphyxiated term infants.     

脐带血血气分析与乳酸值对围产期窒息的诊断价值探讨

目的探讨脐带血血气分析及乳酸值对围产期窒息的诊断价值。方法对63例足月窒息新生儿与89例足月正常新生儿的脐动脉血进行微量血气分析及乳酸测定，并在出生后第1、7、14、28d进行新生儿20项神经行为测定（NBNA）。结果窒息组与对照组的脐动脉血乳酸、pH值、BE差异有显著性，血乳酸与第1、7d的NBNA呈显著负相关，pH与第1d的NBNA呈正相关，BE与NBNA无明显相关性。结论窒息新生儿脐血乳酸水平高于对照组、pH值低于对照组，可作为围产期窒息诊断的指标，且乳酸值特异性优于pH值。     

脐带血血气分析与乳酸值对围产期窒息的诊断价值探讨

目的探讨脐带血血气分析及乳酸值对围产期窒息的诊断价值。方法对63例足月窒息新生儿与89例足月正常新生儿的脐动脉血进行微量血气分析及乳酸测定,并在出生后第1、7、14、28d进行新生儿20项神经行为测定(NBNA)。结果窒息组与对照组的脐动脉血乳酸、pH值、BE差异有显著性,血乳酸与第1、7d的NBNA呈显著负相关,pH与第1d的NBNA呈正相关,BE与NBNA无明显相关性。结论窒息新生儿脐血乳酸水平高于对照组、pH值低于对照组,可作为围产期窒息诊断的指标,且乳酸值特异性优于pH值。     

Correlation between echocardiographic superior vena cava flow and short-term outcome in infants with asphyxia

Objectives

To assess the relationship between superior vena cava (SVC) flow and short-term outcome in infants with perinatal asphyxia.

Methods

Infants in sequence born after more than 35 weeks of gestation who had been hospitalized at the NICU and normal neonatal wards of Wakayama Medical University between May 2005 and September 2010 were recruited for this observational cohort study. The study eligibility criterion was the presence of perinatal asphyxia, as evidenced by abnormal fetal heart rate monitoring and an Apgar score of 7 or less at 1 min or need for resuscitation using positive pressure ventilation. SVC flow was measured in the first three days of life by Doppler echocardiography as described by Kluckow and Evans. Short-term outcome was defined as poor if MRI demonstrated bilateral lesions of the basal ganglia and thalamus and/or multicystic encephalomalacia due to hypoxic ischemia.

Results

In the head cooling group, SVC flow in infants with a good outcome was lower than that in infants with a poor outcome at 12 h (36.9 ± 7.7 vs 113.4 ± 42.4 ml/kg/min (p = 0.01)), 24 h (75.2 ± 25.3 vs 155.6 ± 45.7 ml/kg/min (p = 0.03)), and 48 h (92.5 ± 34.2 vs 161.1 ± 46.7 ml/kg/min (p = 0.04)) after birth. SVC flow decreased promptly after introduction of head cooling in infants who had a good outcome, whereas it increased gradually after head cooling in those who had a poor outcome.

Conclusion

We speculate that regulation of brain circulation is disrupted in infants with asphyxia who show a poor outcome.     

Apgar score predicts short-term outcome in infants born at 25 gestational weeks

AIM: To identify early predictors of outcome in infants born at 25 gestational weeks. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from a regional perinatal database (time-period 1995-2001, total n = 108 000 births) were used. Apgar scores were available in 92 preterm infants, born at 25 + 0 to 25 + 6 gestational weeks, and analyzed in relation to short-term outcome (180-day survival with, or without, severe brain damage defined as intraventricular hemorrhage grade 3-4 or cystic periventricular leukomalacia). Based on multiple logistic regression analyses we constructed graphs of the estimated chance of survival. RESULTS: Apgar scores at 1, 5 and 10 min correlated with survival without severe brain damage (p = 0.02, 0.006 and 0.006, respectively). Survival without severe brain damage was higher in singleton than in multiple births (p = 0.03); there was no association with infant gender or mode of delivery. The strongest model for prediction of survival without severe brain damage was based on 5-min Apgar score and the Clinical Risk Index for Babies (CRIB), (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Apgar score predicts short-term outcome in extremely preterm infants at 25 gestational weeks. The precision for prediction of outcome increases when Apgar score is combined with CRIB.     

围生期窒息新生儿血气分析与神经系统损害

目的探讨围生期窒息新生儿PaCO2及pH快速变化及其与神经系统损害之间的关系。方法将55例新生儿分为3组:组1 pH>7.00,无神经系统异常,无需呼吸支持;组2 pH≤7.00,余同组1;组3,pH≤7.00,神经系统异常,需辅助呼吸支持。采集脐动脉血、产后1 h和2 h桡动脉血进行血气分析并观察Apgar评分和临床经过。结果脐动脉血pH值和PaCO2各组间有显著差异;产后1h动脉血pH组1、3间和组2、3间有显著差异;产后1 h动脉血pH、PaCO2分别和脐动脉血pH、PaCO2比较,有显著差异;3组间有不同的神经系统表现;Apgar评分组3较低。结论在严重酸中毒时,胎儿出生后pH、PaCO2会发生显著改变,需持续辅助机械通气的患儿有不同的神经系统后遗症。     

Χ������Ϣ������������̼��ѹ��pHֵ�ı�����ϵͳ�𺦵Ĺ�ϵ

目的探讨围生期窒息新生儿PaCO2及pH快速变化及其与神经系统损害之间的关系。方法2002年1月至2003年12月南华大学第一附属医院将55例足月窒息新生儿分为3组组Ⅰ,pH>7.00,无神经系统异常,无需呼吸支持;组Ⅱ,pH≤7.00,余同组Ⅰ;组Ⅲ,pH≤7.00,神经系统异常,需辅助呼吸支持。采集脐动脉血、产后1h和2h桡动脉血进行血气分析并观察Apgar评分和临床经过。结果脐动脉血pH值和PaCO2各组间差异有显著性;产后1h动脉血pH组Ⅰ、Ⅲ间和组Ⅱ、Ⅲ间差异有显著性;产后1h动脉血pH、PaCO2分别和脐动脉血pH、PaCO2比较,差异有显著性;三组间有不同的神经系统表现;Apgar评分组Ⅲ较低。结论在严重酸中毒时,胎儿出生后pH、PaCO2会发生显著改变,需持续辅助机械通气的患儿有不良的神经系统预后。     

Early postnatal allopurinol does not improve short term outcome after severe birth asphyxia

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether postnatal allopurinol would reduce free radical induced reperfusion/reoxygenation injury of the brain in severely asphyxiated neonates. METHOD: In an interim analysis of a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled study, 32 severely asphyxiated infants were given allopurinol or a vehicle within four hours of birth. RESULTS: The analysis showed an unaltered (high) mortality and morbidity in the infants treated with allopurinol. CONCLUSION: Allopurinol treatment started postnatally was too late to reduce the early reperfusion induced free radical surge. Allopurinol administration to the fetus with (imminent) hypoxia via the mother during labour may be more effective in reducing free radical induced post-asphyxial brain damage.     

Early single-channel aEEG/EEG predicts outcome in very preterm infants

Aim: To characterize early amplitude‐integrated electroencephalogram (aEEG) and single‐channel EEG (aEEG/EEG) in very preterm (VPT) infants for prediction of long‐term outcome. Patients: Forty‐nine infants with median (range) gestational age of 25 (22–30) weeks. Methods: Amplitude‐integrated electroencephalogram/EEG recorded during the first 72 h and analysed over 0–12, 12–24, 24–48 and 48–72 h, for background pattern, sleep–wake cycling, seizures, interburst intervals (IBI) and interburst percentage (IB%). In total, 2614 h of single‐channel EEG examined for seizures. Survivors were assessed at 2 years corrected age with a neurological examination and Bayley Scales of Infant Development‐II. Poor outcome was defined as death or survival with neurodevelopmental impairment. Good outcome was defined as survival without impairment. Results: Thirty infants had good outcome. Poor outcome (n = 19) was associated with depressed aEEG/EEG already during the first 12 h (p = 0.023), and with prolonged IBI and higher IB% at 24 h. Seizures were present in 43% of the infants and associated with intraventricular haemorrhages but not with outcome. Best predictors of poor outcome were burst‐suppression pattern [76% correctly predicted; positive predictive value (PPV) 63%, negative predictive value (NPV) 91%], IBI > 6 sec (74% correctly predicted; PPV 67%, NPV 79%) and IB% > 55% at 24 h age (79% correctly predicted; PPV 72%, NPV 80%). In 35 infants with normal cerebral ultrasound during the first 3 days, outcome was correctly predicted in 82% by IB% (PPV 82%, NPV 83%). Conclusion: Long‐term outcome can be predicted by aEEG/EEG with 75–80% accuracy already at 24 postnatal hours in VPT infants, also in infants with no early indication of brain injury.     

Plasma thrombomodulin level in newborn infants with and without perinatal asphyxia

To determine whether vascular endothelial damage occurs in neonates with asphyxia, we examined the plasma thrombomodulin level at birth in infants with and without asphyxia. The plasma thrombomodulin concentration in 11 asphyxiated infants was significantly elevated compared with that in 48 infants without asphyxia (38.1 vs 27.0 μg/l, p < 0.0001). The plasma thrombomodulin-to-serum creatinine ratio was also significantly elevated (0.62 vs 0.48 μg/μmol, p = 0.0005). The plasma thrombomodulin concentration and the plasma thrombomodulin-to-serum creatinine ratio in infants without asphyxia did not differ between the two types of delivery: normal vaginal delivery and elective caesarean section. Stepwise regression analysis showed the serum D-dimer concentration, plasma pH and serum creatinine concentration were significant independent variables for plasma thrombomodulin concentration, whereas base deficit, platelet count, fibrinogen concentrations and antithrombin III activity were not. Our data suggest that vascular endothelial damage might occur in asphyxiated infants.     

Oxidative stress in perinatal asphyxia in relation to outcome

Objective  

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.     

围产期窒息对新生儿脑组织血流灌注的影响及意义

目的了解围产期窒息对新生儿脑血流(CBF)的影响及意义.方法对140例有围产期窒息的新生儿进行单光子发射型计算机断层(SPECT)脑显像.结果①围产期发生的胎儿窘迫或出生时窒息,有可能使CBF减少;②有胎儿窘迫和(或)出生时窒息时,新生儿CBF异常的发生率相似.结论围产期发生了胎儿窘迫或出生时窒息,虽经复苏抢救或去除了某些直接影响因素,这些新生儿仍然存在着发生缺氧缺血性脑损伤(HIBD)的高度危险.     

Cord blood endothelin-1 and perinatal asphyxia

Discordant data have been reported on endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent endothelium-derived vasoconstriction peptide, during the neonatal period, and elevated levels have been found in various neonatal diseases. This study evaluated ET-1 in the cord blood of 74 neonates of different gestational age, birthweight, mode of delivery and 5'-Apgar score. CONCLUSION: Higher ET-1 levels were found in neonates born by emergency caesarean section, and in newborns with low 5'-Apgar score, suggesting that ET-1 could be a marker of perinatal asphyxia.     

Plasma platelet-activating factor levels in newborn infants with and without perinatal asphyxia: Is it an additional marker of perinatal asphyxia?

Abstract Background: Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is still a very important cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity. Recently platelet-activating factor (PAF) has been accused of being responsible for the neuronal damage in hypoxic-ischemic brain.
Methods: Therefore, we conducted a study in newborns with perinatal asphyxia to try to show the relationship between the clinical severity and plasma PAF levels.
Results: Mean plasma levels of 19 asphyxiated infants (997.8 ± 363.5 pg/mL) were significantly higher than that of 20 healthy infants (410.2 ± 148.6 pg/mL, P< 0.0001). Patients with clinically severe HIE had significantly higher levels of PAF (1494.2 ± 386.6 pg/mL) when compared with patients with mild HIE (815 ± 114.5 pg/mL) and with moderate HIE (828.3 ± 61.1 pg/mL). There was a significant correlation between plasma PAF concentration and arterial pH and base deficit, but no correlation with platelet and leukocyte counts.
Conclusions: Plasma PAF levels correlating with the severity of HIE is interpreted to mean that high PAF levels may be an indicator of clinical severity and probably the poorer prognosis of patients with HIE.     

Early postnatal changes in intracranial arterial blood flow velocities in term infants

A range-gated Doppler technique was used to assess intracranial arterial blood flow velocity changes in 20 healthy term infants during the first 3 days after birth. Systolic, diastolic, and mean flow velocity decreased during the first 30 min after birth whereas arterial pressure and heart rate did not change. Mean flow velocity did not change from 30 min to 72 h of life, although systolic and diastolic flow velocity changed in opposite directions. Systolic flow velocity increased to 2 h of age and thereafter decreased. Diastolic flow velocity decreased to a minimum value at 2 h and thereafter increased to 24 h of age. These flow velocity changes suggest an initial decrease in cerebral perfusion, followed by a constant cerebral blood flow during normal circulatory transition after birth.