Cardiac Troponin T Levels of Umbilical Cord in Neonates with Abnormal Fetal Heart Rate

OBJECTIVE Most neonatal encephalopathic disorders appear to be caused by perinatal events. Persistent myocardial ischemia leads to cellular necrosis and release of troponin from cardiac muscles. Fetal distress during labor may be detected by monitoring the fetal heart rate. However little is known about the relationship, if any, that exists between fetal heart rate abnormalities and the fetal cardiac musculature and its function. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship, if any, of umbilical cord serum levels of cardiac troponin T with fetal bradycardia or late deceleration. METHODS In this cross sectional study, troponin T level in umbilical cord blood of 80 neonates are measured. There were 23 versus 57 fetuses with and without late deceleration or bradycardia. FINDINGS Level of cardiac troponin T in umbilical blood of neonates with fetal bradycardia or late deceleration was elevated in comparison to neonates without bradycardia or late deceleration. There was no relation between umbilical troponin T level and mode of delivery. CONCLUSION Infants with fetal bradycardia or late deceleration during labor had significantly higher cord cardiac troponin T levels. If troponin level is normal, the probability of hypoxia will be very low.