Brain-typical creatinekinase in the serum of newborn infants with perinatal brain damage

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Neonatal Medicine
• Neurology

Background:

• Serum creatine kinase (CK) activity exhibits wide normal ranges in healthy newborns.
• Establishing clear cutoffs for pathological CK levels is challenging in neonates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the diagnostic utility of serum CK-isoenzymes, specifically CK-BB, in newborns with suspected perinatal brain damage.
• To correlate CK-BB detection with neuropathological symptoms and total serum CK activity.

Main Methods:

• Agar gel electrophoresis was used to detect and quantify CK-isoenzymes in infant serum.
• Serum CK activity was measured in a cohort of healthy newborns and infants with perinatal brain damage.

Main Results:

• Normal serum CK activity in 257 healthy newborns showed a wide 95% range (4–165 U/l).
• Brain-specific CK-isoenzyme (CK-BB) was detected in 6 out of 8 infants presenting with perinatal brain damage.
• A combination of neuropathological symptoms, elevated total serum CK, and significant CK-BB levels indicated severe CNS damage.

Conclusions:

• Elevated total serum CK activity and the presence of CK-BB are potential biomarkers for severe neonatal brain injury.
• CK-BB detection via electrophoresis aids in diagnosing central nervous system damage in newborns.