title: Biomarkers of brain damage in preterm infants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is growing evidence on the usefulness of biomarkers in the early detection of preterm infants at risk for brain damage. However, among different tools Activin A, S100B protein and adrenomedullin assessment offer the possibility to investigate brain/multiorgan function and development. This could be especially useful in perinatal medicine that requires even more non-invasive techniques in order to fulfill the minimal handling in diagnostic and therapeutic strategy performance.
  
  
  METHODS
  The concept of Unconventional Biological Fluid (UBF: urine and saliva) is becoming even stronger and regards the assessment in non-invasive biological fluids of biochemical markers involved in the cascade of events leading to brain damage.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Activin A, S100B protein and adrenomedullin in UBF were increased in preterm newborns developing brain damage and/or ominous outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present manuscript offers an update on the usefulness of Activin A, S100B protein an adrenomedullin in UBF as brain damage markers. The findings open a new cue on the use of these markers in daily neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) activities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, G Gaslini Children's University Hospital, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Risso
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sannia
authors.forename: Danilo A W
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Gavilanes
authors.forename: Hans J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Vles
authors.forename: Micaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Colivicchi
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ricotti
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Li Volti
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gazzolo
mesh_terms: D028341:Activins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D053607:Adrenomedullin / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D064568:S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit; D009418:S100 Proteins; C579160:S100B protein, human; C422405:activin A; D028341:Activins; D053607:Adrenomedullin