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Published on: October 28, 2022
Plasma Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Neonatal Brain Injury
Maria Luisa Tataranno1, Serafina Perrone1, Giuseppe Buonocore1
1Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Via Banchi di Sotto, 55, 53100 Siena, Italy.
Insights
Oxidative stress plays a key role in neonatal brain injuries like hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. This study identifies biomarkers for early detection and monitoring of brain damage in preterm and term infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal neurology
- Biomarker research
- Oxidative stress mechanisms
Background:
- Perinatal encephalopathy causes lifelong disability.
- Neonatal brain injury involves complex, multifactorial pathways.
- Oxidative stress is implicated in brain damage for preterm and term infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify reliable and specific oxidative stress (OS) biomarkers.
- To enable early detection and follow-up of neonatal brain injuries.
- To investigate OS biomarkers in common neonatal brain injuries.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on OS biomarkers in neonatal brain injury.
- Analysis of potential biomarkers for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, intraventricular hemorrhage, and periventricular leukomalacia.
- Focus on biomarkers applicable to both preterm and term infants.
Main Results:
- Recognition of oxidative stress's significant role in neonatal brain injury pathogenesis.
- Identification of specific OS biomarkers for early detection.
- Potential for OS biomarkers in monitoring common neonatal brain conditions.
Conclusions:
- Oxidative stress biomarkers are crucial for managing neonatal brain injuries.
- Further research is needed to correlate OS biomarkers with functional brain outcomes.
- Early detection and monitoring can improve outcomes for affected infants.
Abstract:
Perinatal encephalopathy is a leading cause of lifelong disability. Increasing evidence indicates that the pathogenesis of perinatal brain damage is much more complex than originally thought, with multiple pathways involved. An important role of oxidative stress (OS) in the pathogenesis of brain injury is recognized for preterm and term infants. This article examines potential reliable and specific OS biomarkers that can be used in premature and term infants for the early detection and follow-up of the most common neonatal brain injuries, such as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, intraventricular hemorrhage, and periventricular leukomalacia. The next step will be to explore the correlation between brain-specific OS biomarkers and functional brain outcomes.
