Brain damage markers in children. Neurobiological and clinical aspects.
The presence in blood of proteins normally confined to the cytoplasm of brain cells is considered peripheral evidence of brain damage. Only recently have these proteins been measured in the blood of children at risk of brain damage. To show the value and limitations of measuring these proteins, we review their biology and the adult literature that has correlated the blood concentrations of these proteins with lesion size and dysfunction.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that brain damage markers will increasingly be measured in the blood of newborns and other children at risk of brain damage.
Leviton
A
A
Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA. alan.leviton@tch.harvard.edu
Dammann
O
O
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000097:blood*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D015415:Biomarkers; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase