Comparison of Biochemical Parameters in Cord Blood versus Venous Blood among Premature and Term Neonates: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Premature and low birth weight neonates are more prone to develop various disorders. These neonates undergo various investigations to confirm diagnosis. Cord blood samples are obtained without any intervention on the neonate, making them a useful source for analysing biomarkers and predicting disorders in premature and low birth weight neonates. Aim: To compare the biochemical parameters among premature neonates (low birth weight) versus matured term neonates (normal birth weight) in cord blood and venous samples. Materials and Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted at SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre in Kattankulathur, Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu, India from July 2022 to September 2022. The study included two groups: Group 1 consisted of premature and low birth weight neonates, and Group 2 consisted of normal birth weight term neonates, with 53 participants in each group. Biochemical parameters like creatinine, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C), Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C), Albumin, Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT), iron, and Creatine Kinase (CK) were analysed in cord blood and venous samples of these groups. Student’s t-test was used to compare between groups, and Pearson’s correlation was used to assess the association of biochemical parameters in cord blood and venous blood samples. Results: The mean age of the mothers and gestational age in group 1 were 24±4 years and 33±2.3 weeks, respectively. The mean weight of the neonates was 2135±241 grams. When cord blood samples were compared between the study groups, sodium, phosphorus and albumin were found to be significantly decreased and LDL-C was significantly increased in group 1, whereas GGT was significantly decreased in group 2 for venous blood. When cord blood samples were compared between the study groups, magnesium (r-value=0.2) was found to be significantly decreased in group 1. Conclusion: It was observed that biochemical parameters were significantly correlated, except for sodium, HDL-C, LDL-C, and GGT, between cord blood and venous blood samples. Hence, cord blood samples collected through non invasive methods can be used for sample analysis in neonates.