STUDY OF NEURON SPECIFIC ENOLASE (NSE) IN PERINATAL ASPHYXIA & ITS ROLE AS AN EARLY MARKER OF BRAIN INJURY

Abstract

BACKGROUND Perinatal asphyxia is a major cause of neurological morbidity in infants. Hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) after perinatal asphyxia is a condition in which serum concentration of Neuron specific enolase may be elevated. There are very few studies about its usefulness in asphyxiated newborns. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To determine the serum levels of Neuron Specific Enolase (NSE) in newborns with perinatal asphyxia and its relation with different stages of hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy. METHODS We have determined the serum levels of NSE by ELISA method in 100 asphyxiated newborns and 100 healthy newborns (control group). Blood samples were taken on day 1 and day 3 of life in all newborns. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION The mean serum values of NSE were found to be decreased on day 3 in asphyxiated neonates and negative correlation was seen between day 1 and day 3 for NSE.

Serum Neuron-Specific Enolase as a Biomarker of Neonatal Brain Injury—New Perspectives for the Identification of Preterm Neonates at High Risk for Severe Intraventricular Hemorrhage

“…Furthermore, Attia et al [22] investigated serum NSE levels in thirty-term neonates who developed symptoms and signs of HIE and concluded that NSE correlated significantly with grades II and III and neonates who suffered from neurological sequelae, a finding that lends support to our own results, although our studied population included neonates with different types of NBI. In addition, Paliwal et al [35] explored serum NSE levels in late preterm and term neonates born with perinatal asphyxia and observed, firstly, a significant association between serum NSE levels and the severity of HIE and, secondly, a downward trend of NSE from day 1 to day 3 of life. Interestingly, similar variation over time is also confirmed by the present study, building a robust foundation of research findings.…”