Background: Hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, and hyperphosphatemia are common electrolyte disturbances in perinatal asphyxia(PA). Different reasons have been proposed for these electrolyte disturbances. This study investigated the effect of the urinary excretion of calcium(Ca), magnesium(Mg), and phosphorus(P) on the serum levels of these substances in babies who were treated using therapeutic hypothermia for hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy(HİE) caused by PA. This study sheds light on the pathophysiology that may cause changes in the serum values of these electrolytes.
Method: This study included 21 healthy newborns(control group) and 38 patients(HİE group) who had undergone therapeutic hypothermia due to HİE. Only infants with a gestational age of 36 weeks and above and a birth weight of 2000 g and above were evaluated. The urine and serum Ca, Mg, P, and creatinine levels of all infants were evaluated at 24, 48, and 72 hours.
Results: The lower serum Ca value and the higher serum P value of the HİE group were found to be statistically significant compared to the control group. There was no significant difference in serum Mg values between the groups. However, hypomagnesemia was detected in five patients from the HİE group. The urine excretions of these substances, which were checked at different times, were found to be significantly higher in the HİE group compared to the control group.
Conclusion: This study determined that the urinary excretion of Ca, Mg, and P has an effect on the serum Ca, Mg, and P levels of infants with HİE.