Cardiac Troponin I Ultra – Normal Values in Apparently Healthy Neonates

Background: Troponins are regulatory globular proteins, primarily located on the myofibrils and released into the circulation upon myocardial injury. Human cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is a 30-amino-acid peptide, longer than skeletal troponin I, giving it unique cardiac specificity. Only one cardiac isoform has been identified. Ischaemia and myocardial necrosis occur in 25–51% of newborn infants with perinatal asphyxia and are often associated with other adverse conditions specific to the neonatal period. Thus, estimating the levels of cTnI in normal neonates could be of significance in conditions of foetal distress. Objective: The objective of this study was to estimate the levels of cTnI ultra in healthy neonates. Methodology: The present study is a retrospective database study carried out at the PGIMS, Rohtak, in 116 asymptomatic neonates with gestation age ≥37 weeks and Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, Respiration (APGAR) score >7 at 5 min. Cord blood samples were analysed for cTnI ultra on ADVIA Centaur CP by chemiluminescent technology. Results: The mean cTnI ultra in the healthy neonates was found to be 0.0502 ng/ml. The mean APGAR score was 7.215 at 1 min and 8.922 at 5 min. Conclusion: Keeping in view of the small therapeutic window of intervention in newborns, cTnI ultra may be a sensitive marker for early detection of neonatal morbidity.