Asociación entre concentraciones séricas de lactato deshidrogenasa en las primeras 12 horas de vida y encefalopatía hipóxico-isquémica. Estudio preliminar.

INTRODUCTION: Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is the most severe consequence of perinatal asphyxia. The rate of change in the serum levels of some intracellular enzymes among the first hours of extrauterine life may serve as indication of heighten risk for the development of Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the possible association between the rates of change in serum lactate dehydrogenase values in the first 12 hours of extrauterine life and the development of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. METHODS: Diagnostic test study. Lactate dehydrogenase determinations were performed at 0, 6 and 12 hours of extrauterine life in neonates who presented clinical diagnosis of perinatal asphyxia (n = 10) and in patients with risk factors that did not meet asphyxia criteria (n = 10). RESULTS: Setting a cut-off point for serum lactate dehydrogenase at 775 IU/L, a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 60% for the development of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy was obtained. An increase for serum values of lactate dehydrogenase equal to or greater than 0.33%/hour between 0 and 12 hours showed sensitivity of 90% and specificity 100% with respect to the development of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. CONCLUSION: Variation in serum lactate dehydrogenase levels in the first 12 hours of life is associated with the development of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]