Cardiac Troponin T as a Useful Early Marker of Cardiac Dysfunction in Neonates with Respiratory Distress

In this study we evaluate cardiac troponin T level as an early biochemical marker of myocardial dysfunction in neonates with respiratory distress. This study was carried out in neonatal intensive care unit of Zagazig children hospital, neonatology unit of pediatric department. It took the period from July 2009 to July 2010.The study included 60 neonates. Their gestational age ranged from (30 weeks to 40 weeks) and their weight ranged between (1050gm to 3600 gm) they were divided into two groups:The 1st group (diseased): included 50 neonates with respiratory distress.The 2nd group (control): included 10 healthy neonates who do not have respiratory distress.Our study showed that, cardiac troponin T levels are unaffected by sex, mode of delivery, , gestational age, birth weight, maternal age , apgar score at 5 minutes and etiology of respiratory distress (p>0.05).There was high statistical significance increased of cTnT level (ng/ml) among RD infants, with P.value (< 0.001) and this indicated that there is myocardial affection among dieased group due to RD. These results showed that cTnT is a good marker for diagnosis of RD in neonates most propaply due to myocardial ischemia.There was high significant positive correlation between cardiac troponin T level and severity of RD according to Downes and ABG score (p < 0.001) among diseased infants.Our results showed that there was high significant positive correlation between cardiac troponin T level and Infants receiving O2 support (CPAP-MV) and inotropic support (p < 0.001) and from this we proved that cardiac troponin T increased with increased severity of RD.from our results we conclued that, cardiac troponin T levels are unaffected by sex, mode of delivery, , gestational age, birth weight, maternal age and apgar score at 5 minutes .Cardiac troponin T is detectable in the healthy infants studied but significantly higher in the sick infants with respiratory distress. None of the variables assessed explained this change in cardiac troponin T concentration except for the presence of respiratory distress needing supplemental oxygen or inotropic support. Cardiac troponin T (cTnT), which is a biochemical marker of myocardial injury represented with high concentrations in infants with respiratory distress suggested the presence of myocardial damage in those infants.