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Published on: February 5, 2015
Reference values of amniotic fluid neuron-specific enolase
A Elimian1, R Figueroa, K Patel
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, USA. aelimian@mail.som.sunysb.edu
The Journal of Maternal-Fetal Medicine
|July 11, 2001
Summary
Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) levels in amniotic fluid remain stable throughout pregnancy. This finding suggests NSE may serve as a potential biomarker for detecting fetal neurological injury.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Neuroscience
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) is a cytoplasmic enzyme predominantly found in neuronal tissues.
- Elevated NSE in serum and CSF indicates neurological injury.
- Previous observations suggested a link between elevated amniotic fluid NSE and adverse neonatal neurological outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish reference values for neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in amniotic fluid.
- To determine if amniotic fluid NSE levels correlate with gestational age.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 110 amniotic fluid samples across different gestational ages (16-40 weeks).
- Samples were from women with neonates who had normal neurological examinations or neurosonograms.
- Descriptive statistics and non-parametric correlations were employed for data analysis.
Main Results:
- No significant correlation was found between gestational age and amniotic fluid NSE concentration (p = 0.63).
- The overall mean NSE level was 2.5 +/- 1.39 microg/l.
- 95.5% of samples had NSE values below 5 microg/l.
Conclusions:
- Amniotic fluid NSE levels are stable and do not vary with gestational age.
- Stable amniotic fluid NSE levels may be a valuable tool for assessing fetal neurological injury.
- Further research could explore NSE's utility in early detection of neurological complications.
