The Correlation Between Nucleated Red Blood Cells and Creatine Kinase Level with Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy in Asphyxiated Newborns

 We aimed to compare the correlation between nucleated red blood cell (NRBC) and creatine kinase (CK) levels with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in asphyxiated newborns.

 This case-control study included 30 asphyxiated (case) and 30 healthy neonates (control) born at Al-Zahra Hospital in Rasht, Iran. We collected the cord blood samples for CK level and NRBC at birth. The clinical stage of Sarnat indicated the severity of HIE. Data were analyzed in the two groups using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 22.

 The case group had a higher NRBC count (P=0.001). The CK level was significantly different between the two groups and was higher in the case group than in the control group (P= 0.002). Results demonstrated a significant association between NRBC count and the occurrence of HIE in neonates with asphyxia (P = 0.021). Besides, a positive correlation was found between HIE and CK levels in the case group (r = 0.7, P=0.001).

According to our results, NRBC count and umbilical cord CK level measurement are valuable predictors of asphyxia and HIE in neonates. In addition, measuring these parameters may help clinicians for faster diagnosis and better management.