Relationship among serum cortisol and insulin and blood glucose in the asphyxiated neonates

Abstract

To explore the dynamic change of serum cortisol and insulin levels, and their relation with blood glucose concentration in asphyxiated neonates. The levels of serum cortisol and insulin at d1,d3 and d7 of birth were measured by radioimmunoassay and the concentration of blood glucose was measured with glucose oxidase method in 43 asphyxiated neonates. The levels of serum cortisol at d 1, d 3 and d 7 of birth were gradually decreased (P<0.01). At d1, the incidence of hyperinsulism (>20 mIU/L) was 60.5%. The level of serum insulin reached normal level (<or=20 mIU/L) at d 3. At d 1, the level of serum cortisol was positively related with the level of blood glucose (r=0.432, P<0.01), the ratio of serum insulin and cortisol in hypoglycemia group (0.71+/-0.71) was significantly higher than that in normal blood glucose group (0.19+/-0.36, P<0.01). The incidence of hypoglycemia in hyperinsulism group was markedly higher than that in normal serum insulin group (P<0.05). There are temporary hyperinsulism in asphyxiated neonates. Hypoglycemia in asphyxiated neonates is related with hyperinsulism and low serum cortisol level.