Author(s): A. Manoj, K.Ramachandra Rao, B.Vishnu Bhat, C. Venkatesh, Zachariah Bobby
This study was conducted to evaluate the level of chromosomal damage in perinatal asphyxia and correlate it with severity of asphyxia. Fourty term neonates with asphyxia and twenty term babies without asphyxia were included in this case control study. Blood samples were collected within 24 hours of birth for karyotyping and oxidative stress by serum malondealdehyde (MDA) estimation. The degree of chromosomal damage and MDA level were significantly associated with severity of hypoxia. There was significant difference in mean frequency of chromosomal aberration and MDA level in controls ( 3.4 ± 0.280 vs 0.95±0.198 ) and cases (6.749±1.818 vs 3.687±0.156) respectively. Chromosomal aberrations also significantly correlated with Apgar score, HIE stages, seizure and serum MDA level.