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Updated: Jul 6, 2026
Biochemical Measurement of Neonatal Hypoxia
Published on: August 24, 2011
Umbilical artery blood S100beta protein: a tool for the early identification of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic
Jing Qian1, Dong Zhou, Yu-Wei Wang
1Department of Pediatrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China.
Insights
Elevated S100beta protein in umbilical cord blood can help identify newborns with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). This biomarker aids in early diagnosis and grading of HIE, enabling timely neuroprotective interventions.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Biomarkers
- Neurology
Background:
- Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) requires early detection for effective neuroprotection.
- Current diagnostic methods for HIE may not be rapid or simple enough for timely intervention.
- Identifying reliable early indicators of brain damage is crucial for at-risk infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate S100beta protein concentration in umbilical cord artery blood as an early diagnostic marker for HIE.
- To determine the utility of S100beta protein levels in grading the severity of HIE.
- To compare the diagnostic value of S100beta protein with umbilical cord blood gas analysis.
Main Methods:
- Umbilical cord artery blood samples were collected from 40 infants with asphyxia (HIE group) and 25 normal-term infants (control group).
- S100beta protein concentration and blood gas parameters (pH, carbon dioxide tension, base excess) were measured.
- Statistical analysis was performed to compare levels between groups and determine predictive values.
Main Results:
- S100beta protein levels were significantly higher in the HIE group (1.98 microg/L) compared to the control group (1.05 microg/L).
- A S100beta cutoff of 2.02 microg/L showed 86.7% sensitivity and 88.0% specificity for moderate/severe HIE.
- While blood gas parameters differed between HIE and control groups, they did not differentiate HIE severity.
Conclusions:
- S100beta protein concentration in umbilical cord blood is a valuable early indicator for HIE diagnosis and severity grading.
- S100beta protein offers a rapid and simple method for identifying infants at risk for HIE.
- This biomarker can aid clinicians in initiating timely neuroprotective therapies for neonates with HIE.
Abstract:
Neuroprotective interventions in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) require early indicators of brain damage to initiate therapy. In order to find a reliable, rapid, and simple method to identify infants at risk for this disorder, 40 infants with asphyxia were selected as the observation group (HIE group) and 25 normal-term infants as the control group. S100beta protein concentration and gas analysis of the umbilical cord artery blood of all infants were determined. We found that the S100beta protein levels of the HIE group (1.98 microg/L) were higher than those of the control group (1.05 microg/L, p<0.05), and there were significant differences between the mild HIE group (1.72 microg/L) and the moderate or severe HIE groups (3.61 microg/L, p<0.05). An S100beta protein concentration cutoff level of 2.02 microg/L had a sensitivity of 86.7% and a specificity of 88.0% for predicting the development of moderate or severe HIE. The blood gas parameters of umbilical artery blood, such as pH, carbon dioxide tension, and base excess, were significantly different in the HIE group compared to the control group (all p<0.001), but there were no differences between the mild HIE group and the moderate or severe HIE groups. On the basis of clinical manifestations of asphyxiated neonates, detecting the S100beta protein levels in the umbilical artery blood may be of important value in the early diagnosis and grading of HIE.
