Study on serum Tau protein level and neurodevelopmental outcome of placental abruption with neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

Abstract

<b>Objective:</b> The aim of this study was to explore differences in serum Tau protein levels and neurodevelopmental prognoses of placental abruption or umbilical cord around neck with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).<b>Methods:</b> Forty neonates with moderate/severe HIE divided into placental abruption with HIE group (placental abruption with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (PA-HIE) group) (<i>n</i> = 18) and umbilical cord around the neck with HIE group (umbilical cord around the neck with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (UCAN-HIE) group) (<i>n</i> = 22). Healthy term newborns comprised the control group (<i>n</i> = 35). Serum Tau protein levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay 24 hours (3.50 hours [1.00-24.00]) after birth. Neurodevelopment outcomes were assessed based on the Gesell Developmental Scale at 9 months of age.<b>Results:</b> Serum Tau protein levels were significantly higher in 40 cases (1013 pg/ml [538.04-1190.42]) than in the control group (106.41 pg/ml [64.55-154.71], <i>p</i> = .0001). Serum Tau protein levels in the PA-HIE group (1024.46 pg/ml [657.88-1190.42]) were significantly higher than those in the UCAN-HIE group (892.78 pg/ml [538.04-1179.50], <i>p</i> = .0149). The development quotient score in the PA-HIE group (67.0 [47.0-90.0]) was significantly lower than that in the UCAN-HIE group (81.5 [52.6-100.0]) (<i>p</i> = .0028). The component ratio of neurodevelopmental retardation in the PA-HIE group (44.45%) was significantly higher than that in the UCAN-HIE group (22.73%) (<i>X</i>² = 13.3138, <i>p</i> = .0013).<b>Conclusions:</b> Compared with the UCAN-HIE group, the serum Tau protein level and the component ratio of neurodevelopmental retardation were significantly higher in the PA-HIE group.