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Reference ranges for serum S100B neuroprotein specific to infants under four months of age
Jeanne Simon-Pimmel1, Fleur Lorton2, Damien Masson3
1Department of Paediatric Emergency, University Hospital of Nantes, Nantes, France.
Insights
This study establishes serum S100B reference ranges for infants under 4 months old, a crucial step for diagnosing traumatic brain injuries and reducing unnecessary cranial computed tomography (CCT) in this age group.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Biomarker Research
- Neurotrauma
Background:
- Minor head trauma is a frequent pediatric emergency department presentation.
- Cranial computed tomography (CCT) for diagnosing traumatic brain injuries carries radiation risks.
- Serum S100B is a biomarker that can reduce CCT reliance, but reference ranges for infants under 4 months are lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine serum S100B reference ranges in neurologically healthy infants from birth to 4 months of age.
- To establish reliable S100B values for this understudied pediatric population.
- To facilitate the use of S100B in clinical decision rules for managing minor head trauma in infants.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples were collected from infants presenting to three different hospital centers.
- Analysis focused on determining the upper reference values for serum S100B using the 95th percentile.
- A cohort of 135 infants was included in the study.
Main Results:
- The upper reference value for serum S100B in infants aged 0 to 4 months was determined to be 0.51 μg/L.
- Analysis revealed no significant impact of gender on serum S100B levels in this age group.
- This study represents the largest dataset to date for S100B reference ranges in infants under 4 months.
Conclusions:
- This research provides the first comprehensive serum S100B reference ranges for neurologically healthy infants aged 0 to 4 months.
- The established values are critical for the accurate interpretation of S100B in pediatric minor head trauma assessments.
- These findings pave the way for validating S100B thresholds in clinical decision-making tools for infants.
Background:
Minor head traumatisms are a common reason for consultation in paediatric emergency departments. The diagnosis of traumatic brain injuries involves performing a cranial computed tomography (CCT), associated with a risk of cancer due to the radiation. The serum S100B is an effective biomarker used to reduce reliance on CCT. While reference ranges have been determined, the limited number of cases regarding infants less than 4months of age has not allowed this biomarker to be used with this age group. Our study aimed to determine reference ranges for serum S100B based on a larger number of infants from birth to 4months of age.
Methods:
Three centres included infants coming to the hospital for whom blood samples were taken. These samples were analysed to determine the upper reference values based on the 95th percentile.
Results:
135 samples were analysed. The upper reference value was 0.51μg/L for children aged 0 to 4months. There was no effect of the gender.
Conclusions:
This study provides serum S100B reference ranges based on the largest group of neurologically healthy 0 to 4-month-old infants analysed to date. Reliable reference values of S100B for children are now determined. It is the first step towards validation of thresholds for studies integrating S100B into a clinical decision rule for MHT in children.
