Ischemia modified albumin as a marker of hypoxia in preterm infants in the first week after birth

Martin van der Heide*, Anneke C. Muller Kobold, Karin K.R. Koerts-Steijn, Christian V. Hulzebos, Jan B.F. Hulscher, Simon Eaton, Michael Orford, Arend F. Bos, Jan Koerts, Elisabeth M.W. Kooi

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

Background: Tissue hypoxia remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants. Current biomarkers often detect irreversible hypoxic cellular injury (i.e. lactate) and are non-specific. A new biomarker is needed which detects tissue hypoxia before irreversible damage occurs.

Aims: To investigate the relation between serum ischemia modified albumin (IMA), a marker of hypoxia; and analytic variables, patient related variables and conditions associated with hypoxia, in preterm infants.

Study design: Retrospective cohort study.

Subjects: Infants with a gestational age < 30 weeks and/or birth weight < 1000 g.

Outcome measures: We collected two remnant blood samples in the first week after birth and measured IMA. IMA/albumin ratio (IMAR) was used to adjust for albumin. We assessed correlations between IMA(R) and analytic variables (albumin, lipemia- and haemolysis index); mean-2 h SpO2; mean-2 h variability of regional splanchnic oxygen saturation (rsSO2), measured using near-infrared spectroscopy; and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).

Results: Sixty-five infants were included. Albumin, the lipemia- and haemolysis index correlated negatively with IMA (r:-0.620, P<0.001; r:-0.458, P<0.001; and r:-0.337, P=0.002). IMAR correlated negatively with SpO2 (rho:-0.614, P<0.001). Lower rsSO2 variability correlated with higher IMAR values (rho:-0.785, n=14, P=0.001 and rho:-0.773, n=11, P=0.005). Infants with a hemodynamic significant PDA (hsPDA) had higher IMAR values than infants without PDA (0.13 [0.11–0.28], n=16 vs. 0.11 [0.08–0.20], n=29, P=0.005 and 0.11 [0.09–0.18], n=13 vs. 0.09 [0.06–0.17], n=37, P=0.026).

Conclusions: When adjusted for albumin, the lipemia- and haemolysis index, IMAR has potential value as a marker for systemic hypoxia in preterm infants, considering the associations with SpO2, variability of rsSO2, and hsPDA.

Original languageEnglish
Article number105927
Number of pages7
JournalEarly Human Development
Volume189
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Feb-2024

Keywords

  • Hypoxia
  • Ischemia modified albumin
  • Necrotizing enterocolitis
  • Patent ductus arteriosus
  • Preterm infants

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