[Relationship between serum S100B protein level and brain damage in preterm infants].
OBJECTIVE
To study changes of serum S100B protein level in preterm infants with brain damage and its role.


METHODS
Forty-seven preterm infants were classified into 3 groups based on the results of brain ultrasound and MRI: brain white matter damage (WMD; n=13), brain but not white matter damage (non-WMD; n=14) and control (no brain damage; n=20). Blood samples were collected within 24 hrs, 72 hrs and 7 days after birth. S100B protein level was measured using ELISA.


RESULTS
Serum levels of S100B in the WMD and non-WMD groups were significantly higher than in the control group within 24 hours, 72 hours and 7 days after birth (P<0.05). More increased serum S100B levels were observed in the WMD group compared with the non-WMD group (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Serum S100B protein level increases in preterm infants with brain damage within 7 days after birth, suggesting that it may be used as an early sensitive marker for the diagnosis of brain damage, especially WMD.
Department of Pediatrics, Xinhua Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China.
Li-Juan
LJ
Xie
Hua-Jun
HJ
Li
Jian-Xing
JX
Zhu
D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D004453:Echoencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000097:blood*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000097:blood*; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000097:blood*
D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins; C579160:S100B protein, human