Cardiac troponin T in neonates after acute and long-term tocolysis

The present study was designed to determine the levels of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) in cord blood of neonates exposed in utero to tocolytic therapy by P-sympathomimetics. cTnT in 40 neonates after acute tocolysis (0.24 +/- 0. 05 mug/l) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in comparison with the contro l group (0.05 +/- 0.01 <mu>g/l). The maximal values were reached in about t he 3rd day of therapy (0.39 +/- 0.11 mug/l). cTnT in 30 neonates after long -term tocolysis was 0.12 +/- 0.03 mug/l. No correlation was found between c TnT and CK and its isoenzyme CK-MB or EGG. CK, unlike cTnT, significantly c orrelated with gestational age (r = 0,57, p < 0.05) and birth weight (r = 0 .55, p < 0.05). It is possible to conclude that acute tocolytic therapy by P-sympathomimetics increases the cTnT levels in cord blood and cardiac trop onin T is more useful for the laboratory diagnosis of neonatal myocardial i njury than CKMB. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.