Can a Single Value of Cardiac Troponin I Predict Short-term Adverse Outcomes in Premature Newborns?

Cardiac troponin I (cTn I) has been demonstrated as a possible useful biomarker for myocardial injuries. The present study aimed to evaluate potential relationships between this biomarker and neonatal morbidities among preterm neonates.

This cohort study was carried out at an Iranian Hospital (Tehran-Iran; 2021). Newly-born preterm neonates entered the study. Blood sampling was performed immediately after neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)  admission and sent to the laboratory to detect levels of plasma cTnI. The correlations between the levels of plasma Tn I and each neonatal outcome were evaluated as the primary outcome.

A total of 101  NICU hospitalized neonates with the mean gestational age, 1st, and 5th minutes Apgar scores of 33.750±2.125 (Range: 29-37) weeks, 7.6471±1.766, and 9.188±1.205 entered the study. The mean and median of Troponin I levels were 0.131±0.126 and 0.0920 ng/ml. The results pointed out that neonates who died during hospitalization or required CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) had lower troponin I in comparison with their controls; nonetheless, the differences were not significant (P=0.950 & P=0.557). The mean±SD of troponin I was not significantly different between neonates with and without PDA (p=0.741), asphyxia (P=0.298), and intubation (P=0.212). The occurrences of necrotizing enterocolitis, respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage, and sepsis were not also significant factors for the alteration of troponin I (P>0.05).

Since there were no relationships between cTn I and neonatal outcomes, great caution should be implemented regarding the use of single cTn I value as a diagnostic marker for short-term neonatal adverse outcomes. Further investigations with larger sample sizes are strongly suggested.