The aim of the study was to evaluate activin A and NGAL levels as potential early markers of perinatal hypoxia.We prospectively studied 58 full-term newborns: 24 with perinatal hypoxia (study group) and 34 healthy controls. Umbilical cord blood samples were obtained from all subjects immediately after delivery for the measurement of activin A and NGAL levels. Both biomarkers were correlated with biochemical indicators od hypoxia and neonatal complications.Activin A levels were significantly higher in hypoxic as compared to non-hypoxic newborns (0.51 vs. 0.22pg/mL; p33.9ng/ml for NGAL in prediction of perinatal asphyxia in neonates, with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity 78.3%, whereas the cutoff value for activin A was 0.208ng/ml had, with a sensitivity of 93.1% and only 26.7% specificity.Asphyxiated neonates demonstrate elevated NGAL and activin A levels as compared to controls. The correlation of NGAL with clinical and biochemical signs of neonatal hypoxia, as well as higher sensitivity and specificity for NGAL measurements, have led us to believe that NGAL could be a better marker of perinatal hypoxia than activin A.