Metabolic and Endocrine Profiles in Sick Neonatal Foals Are Related to Survival. (25th March 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Armengou, L.; Jose‐Cunilleras, E.; Ríos, J.; Cesarini, C.; Viu, J.; Monreal, L.
• Is Part Of: Journal of veterinary internal medicine. Volume 27:Number 3(2013:May/Jun.)
• Page Start: 567
• Page End: 575
• Publication Date: 2013-03-25
• Subjects: Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; 636.0896
• DOI: 10.1111/jvim.12064
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0891-6640

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="jvim12064-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="jvim12064-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Sick neonatal foals suffer from a variety of endocrine and metabolic derangements that may be related to outcome. There are several hepatic and lipid metabolism blood markers that have never been assessed in neonatal foals.</p> </sec> <sec id="jvim12064-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Objectives</title> <p>Assess panel of endocrine and metabolic variables in group of sick and healthy neonatal foals in order to describe their relationship with diagnosis and survival.</p> </sec> <sec id="jvim12064-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Animals</title> <p>All neonatal foals referred to Unitat Equina‐Fundació Hospital Clínic Veterinari during 3 consecutive foaling seasons and a group of healthy foals.</p> </sec> <sec id="jvim12064-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Observational prospective study. Blood samples were obtained on admission and, when possible, after 24–48 h of hospitalization and immediately before discharge or death. Measured variables were triglycerides, nonsterified fatty acids, glucose, creatinine, urea, γ‐glutamyltransferase, glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH), insulin, cortisol, bile acids, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). ACTH/cortisol and glucose/insulin ratios were calculated.</p> </sec> <sec id="jvim12064-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Urea, creatinine, and cortisol had median concentrations in septic and nonseptic foals 2‐ to 8‐fold higher than in the control group (<italic>P</italic> < .001). Median ACTH concentration in the septic group was approximately 4 times higher than in nonseptic and control foals (<italic>P</italic> < .001). ACTH/cortisol ratio was significantly lower in sick foals compared to control foals (<italic>P</italic> < .001). A score was designed including creatinine, GLDH, and cortisol. When ≥2 of these variables were altered (<italic>P</italic> < .001), the foal had 32 times more risk of dying (OR, 31.7; 95% CI, 7.7–130.3).</p> </sec> <sec id="jvim12064-sec-0006" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions and Clinical Importance</title> <p>Plasma creatinine, GLDH, and cortisol should be determined in sick newborn foals on admission because of their association with survival.</p> </sec> </abstract>