Comparative Study Between Serum Level of Total L-carnitine in Neonatal Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) and Transient Tachypnea of the Newborn (TTN)

Background: Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is one of the most common causes of cerebral palsy. Objectives: We aimed to compare the serum levels of total L-carnitine in newborns with HIE and Transient tachypnea of the newborn and to determine the correlation between associated demographic data, associated changes in laboratory findings, and outcome in cases with HIE. Methods: This comparative, prospective, and observational study was conducted at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Assiut University Children Hospital. All the cases of perinatal asphyxia and TTN admitted to the NICU during 2016 - 2018 were included. Results: It was found that the serum level of total L-carnitine decreased in both HIE (I) and TTN (II) cases, but the difference was not significant (5.51±1.30 µmol/L in group I vs. 6.22±2.56 µmol/l in group II). Male factor with changes in the serum sodium level (132.63±9.30) and abnormal serum creatinine level (1.4 [0.7 - 15.0]) were significantly related to the outcome of HIE cases. Conclusions: The serum level of total L-carnitine declined in both HIE and TTN cases. Male factor with changes in serum sodium level and abnormal serum creatinine level were significantly related to the mortality of cases with HIE.