Lipids on the Second Day in Ischemic and Normoxemic Term Neonates.

INTRODUCTION: In hypoxic newborns requiring oxygen, lipid peroxidation affects the peripheral blood lipids.

OBJECTIVES: Determine the influence of perinatal oxygen therapy for hypoxia on serum lipid concentrations on the second day of life.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study included 50 newborns with perinatal hypoxia requiring oxygen and 50 healthy newborns without oxygen therapy. Arterialized capillary blood was taken for categorization of hypoxia (pO2) after birth in both groups. Lipid concentrations: total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoproteins (HDL), low density lipoproteins (LDL), and triglycerides (TG) were measured on day 2 in both groups.

RESULTS: TC, LDL, HDL, TG, HC03 levels were statistically lower in the study group compared to the control one, while pCO2 and BE levels were statistically higher in newborns with perinatal hypoxia.

CONCLUSION: Lower lipid levels in hypoxic newborns may suggest that circulating lipids are oxidized, peroxidized, and removed from the peripheral circulation.