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Serum amyloid A protein and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy in the newborn

Journal of Perinatology volume 31, pages 263–268 (2011)Cite this article

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Abstract

Objective:

Serum amyloid A (SAA) is an acute phase inflammatory marker that is closely associated with ischemic injuries. Its expression in neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) has not been studied. To test the hypothesis that SAA is increased in neonatal HIE and its concentration correlates with the severity of encephalopathy.

Study Design:

We conducted a prospective case-control study on 54 full-term neonates; 27 cases with evidence of perinatal compromise and 27 healthy controls. Blood samples were collected from cases and controls at postnatal day 1 and day 7, and SAA was measured by ELISA.

Results:

SAA concentrations (μg ml−1) were significantly increased in cases when compared with controls at day 1 and at day 7 (P<0.001). SAA concentrations at day 1 were greater in cases who died when compared with those who survived, and correlated significantly with the severity of HIE (146.9±56.4 vs 79.8±24.7 vs 58.1±21.5) in severe, moderate and mild HIE, respectively (P=0.001).

Conclusions:

The expression of SAA is increased in response to hypoxia ischemia of the neonate. The increased concentration correlates with the severity of encephalopathy and is associated with mortality. This is the first study of SAA in neonatal HIE.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Tahmina Ahmad at The George Washington University Hospital for editorial assistance and preparation of the figures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neonatology Division, The George Washington University & Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA

    H Aly

  2. Neonatology Division, Cairo University Children's Hospital, Cairo, Egypt

    Z Hamed, L Mohsen, N Ramy & A Lotfy

  3. Clinical Pathology Department, Cairo University Children's Hospital, Cairo, Egypt

    H Arnaoot

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  1. H Aly
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  3. L Mohsen
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Correspondence to H Aly.

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Aly, H., Hamed, Z., Mohsen, L. et al. Serum amyloid A protein and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy in the newborn. J Perinatol 31, 263–268 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2010.130

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