Urinary S100A1B and S100BB to predict hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy at term

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Medicine
• Biomarker Discovery
• Neurology

Background:

• Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a major cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity.
• Early detection and intervention are crucial for improving outcomes in asphyxiated newborns.
• Current monitoring methods may not be sufficient for early HIE prediction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the potential of urinary S100A1B and S100BB as early biomarkers for HIE in asphyxiated newborns.
• To compare S100A1B and S100BB levels in newborns with and without HIE.
• To determine the sensitivity and specificity of these biomarkers for HIE detection.

Main Methods:

• Recruited 42 asphyxiated infants and 63 healthy neonates.
• Measured urinary S100A1B and S100BB at multiple time points from birth up to 72 hours.
• Classified infants into groups based on HIE severity: no/mild HIE (Group A) and moderate/severe HIE (Group B).

Main Results:

• Urine S100A1B and S100BB levels were significantly higher in Group B (moderate/severe HIE) compared to Group A (mild HIE) and controls at all time points (P < 0.01).
• No significant difference in levels was observed between Group A and controls.
• Both biomarkers demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity for HIE detection from the first measurement.

Conclusions:

• Urinary S100A1B and S100BB are elevated in asphyxiated newborns who develop HIE.
• These biomarkers can be useful for early prediction of HIE, even when other monitoring procedures are inconclusive.
• Measurement of urinary S100A1B and S100BB offers a promising tool for early HIE risk assessment in neonates.