S100 protein content of umbilical cord blood in healthy newborns in relation to mode of delivery.
BACKGROUND
Early detection and quantification of brain damage in neonatal asphyxia is important. In adults, S100 protein in blood is associated with damage to the central nervous system.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether S100 protein can be detected in arterial and venous cord blood of healthy newborns and to relate S100 protein concentrations in cord blood to mode of delivery.


METHODS
S100 protein levels in umbilical cord blood of 81 healthy infants were determined.


RESULTS
S100 protein was present in arterial (median concentration 1.62 micro g/l) and venous (median concentration 1.36 micro g/l) cord blood. Levels were significantly higher in vaginal births (median arterial concentration 1.72 micro g/l; median venous concentration 1.48 micro g/l) than births by caesarean section (1.51 micro g/l and 1.26 micro g/l respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
More research is necessary to determine whether S100 protein is a useful marker in neonatal asphyxia.
Wirds
J W
JW
Department of Anesthesiology, St Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands. jwwirds@planet.nl
Duyn
A E J
AE
Geraerts
S D
SD
Preijer
E
E
Van Diemen-Steenvoorde
J A A M
JA
Van Leeuwen
J H Schagen
JH
Haas
F J L M
FJ
Gerritsen
W B M
WB
De Boer
A
A
Leusink
J A
JA
D001238:Asphyxia Neonatorum / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002585:Cesarean Section; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D009418:S100 Proteins