Blood biomarkers for evaluation of perinatal encephalopathy: state of the art

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Updated: Feb 15, 2026

The Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Model of Perinatal Ischemia
08:47

The Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy Model of Perinatal Ischemia

Published on: November 19, 2008

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Ernest M Graham1,2, Allen D Everett2,3, Jean-Christophe Delpech4

  • 1Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics.

Current Opinion in Pediatrics
|January 19, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Point-of-care biomarkers are poised to transform neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) care for infants with brain injuries. Recent findings show promise in predicting injury and guiding treatment for conditions like hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).

Area of Science:

  • Biomarker science
  • Neonatal neurology
  • Clinical diagnostics

Background:

  • Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) care is evolving with advancements in biomarker science.
  • Infants with neonatal brain injuries represent a key area for improved clinical management.
  • Point-of-care biomarker analysis offers rapid insights into brain injury.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an update on recent progress in neonatal brain injury biomarkers.
  • To highlight key findings from the past 18 months of research.
  • To discuss the potential impact of biomarkers on clinical care.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent publications (past 18 months) on neonatal brain injury biomarkers.
  • Analysis of non-brain markers (cardiac, asphyxia) in hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).
  • Investigation of biomarker utility in animal models (piglet hypoxia-ischemia).

Main Results:

  • Non-brain markers and plasma metabolite scores aid in predicting injury after HIE.
  • A systemic proinflammatory cytokine surge identified post-hypothermia in neonatal piglet models.
  • Newly identified biomarkers include osteopontin, activin A, NGAL, secretoneurin, Tau, and neurofilament light protein.
  • Brain-based biomarkers show varying predictive capabilities for short-term and long-term outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Neonatal brain biomarker research is in its early stages.
  • Significant advancements are anticipated in the field.
  • Biomarkers hold potential to revolutionize the management of neonatal brain injuries.
Abstract

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