S100B protein is increased in asphyxiated term infants developing intraventricular hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: To establish whether S100B protein may be useful in the early detection of intraventricular hemorrhage in asphyxiated term infants. DESIGN: Case-control study. PATIENTS: Twenty full-term newborns with intraventricular hemorrhage, 20 asphyxiated infants without intraventricular hemorrhage, and 80 normal newborns. INTERVENTIONS: Routine laboratory variables and neurologic patterns were assessed at birth after 12 and 72 hrs. Ultrasound imaging and middle cerebral artery Doppler velocimetry pulsatility index were recorded at 12 and 72 hrs after birth. S100B protein blood concentrations were determined at 12 hrs. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: S100B protein levels were significantly higher in samples collected from newborns who developed intraventricular hemorrhage (1.87 +/- 0.60 microg/L) than from those who did not develop intraventricular hemorrhage (0.72 +/- 0.39 microg/L) or from normal infants (0.66 +/- 0.31 microg/L). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed a significant correlation between circulating S100B protein concentrations and the occurrence of intraventricular hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that elevated S100B protein represents a useful tool for the early detection of intraventricular hemorrhage in the postasphyxia period when clinical examination and cerebral ultrasound might still be silent.