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MiRNA-124a: a Potential Biomarker for Neurological Deficits Following Cardiac Surgery in Pediatric Patients
Keren Zloto1, Liat Mor1, Omer Bar-Yosef2
1Department of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Safra Children's Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Israel, affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
Journal of Cardiovascular Translational Research
|April 26, 2021
Summary
A new biomarker, microRNA-124a (miRNA-124a), can predict neurological injury in children after heart surgery. Elevated miRNA-124a levels six hours post-operation indicate a higher risk of developing neurological deficits.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pediatric Neurology
- Cardiovascular Surgery
Background:
- Pediatric brain injury is a significant complication following cardiac surgery.
- Early detection of at-risk patients requires novel biomarkers.
- Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) show promise as disease biomarkers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if serum miRNA-124a levels can serve as an early biomarker for neurological injury in pediatric patients undergoing heart surgery.
- To determine the correlation between miRNA-124a levels and postoperative neurological outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples collected from 34 pediatric patients before and 6 hours after cardiac surgery.
- Quantification of miRNA-124a using quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RQ-PCR).
- Correlation analysis of miRNA-124a levels with neurological assessment outcomes.
Main Results:
- MiRNA-124a levels at 6 hours post-surgery correlated with neurological outcomes.
- Increased miRNA-124a levels were observed in children with neurological deficits.
- Decreased miRNA-124a levels were noted in children without neurological deficits.
- MiRNA-124a effectively identified patients at risk for neurological deficits within 6 hours post-operation.
Conclusions:
- Circulating miRNA-124a is a potential early biomarker for detecting neurological deficits in pediatric patients after heart surgery.
- This finding may aid in timely intervention and improved patient management.
