Cord Blood Cardiac Troponin T Level in Preterm Neonates of Pre-Eclamptic Mothers

Abstract

I mpaired uteroplacental blood flow in pre-eclamptic pregnancies may result in the development of functional and structural anomalies in many fetal organs due to intrauterine hypoxia. Fetal myocardium is also affected. Cardiac troponin T (cTnT), a cardiac structural protein, is regarded as a highly specific and sensitive marker of myocardial damage. This study aimed to investigate the relationship of cord blood cardiac troponin T levels in apparently clinically well preterm neonates of preeclamptic mothers and their cardiac functions measured by echocardiography. The study included 70 preterm neonates (G.A.= 29-36 weeks) that were divided into two groups:  Group (1): The study group: It included 35 preterm neonates of pre-eclamptic mothers (mainly of mild pre-eclamptic mothers).  Group (2): The control group: It included 35 preterm neonates of mothers who are not preeclamptic. Preterm neonates were excluded from the study when they had one of the following: 1- Major congenital anomalies. 2- Chromosomal aberrations. 3- Evidence of prenatal maternal infection. 4- Maternal systemic diseases as diabetes mellitus, chronic renal disease, cardiac disease and chronic hypertension. 5- Critically ill preterm neonates whether ventilated or not. Both groups were subjected to complete history taking, thorough clinical examination, gestational age assessment, recorded Apgar scores at 1 min. and 5 min., birth weight measurement and determination if small for gestational age (SGA) or appropriate for gestational age (AGA). CBC and CRP were done at birth. Cardiac troponin T level was measured in the cord blood by Chemiluminescence immunoassay technique. Our results showed statistically significant higher gestational age and birth weight of the study group when compared to control group.