INFLUENCE OF NEONATAL IDIOPATHIC RESPIRATORY-DISTRESS SYNDROME ON SERUM ENZYME-ACTIVITIES IN PREMATURE HEALTHY AND ASPHYXIATED NEWBORNS

Elevated serum aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), lactate dehydrogenas e (LDH), and hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase (HBDH) activities are highl y predictive for the development of hypoxia-related neurologic disorde rs in asphyxiated newborns. Little is known about the influence of the idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome (IRDS) on the serum profile of these enzymes. In a prospective study we measured ASAT, LDH, and HB DH activities in asphyxiated newborns with (n = 12) and without (n = 1 2) IRDS as well as non-asphyxiated newborns with IRDS (n = 16). Blood samples were taken serially at five fixed times: 0 (cord), 12, 24, 72, and 144 hours postpartum. Whereas both study groups of asphyxiated ne wborns showed significantly elevated enzyme activities as compared wit h the non-asphyxiated controls, the fundamental influence of perinatal hypoxic-ischemic events on neonatal serum enzyme profiles and activit ies of all th ree enzymes was not significantly altered by the develop ment of IRDS. Therefore, the predictive value of these enzymes for the development of neurologic disorders in asphyxiated newborns is not ad versely affected by the development of an immediately and effectively treated IRDS. It is concluded that elevated ASAT, LDH, and HBDH activi ties can be used as predictors for neurologic disorders in asphyxiated newborns even in the presence of IRDS.