Biochemical Markers in Perinatal

Early assessment of the severity of an acute cerebral lesion secondary to hypoxia-ischemia or other pathologic conditions may provide a very useful basis for preventive or therapeutic decisions in pediatric patients. In the present review, we discuss the diagnostic and prognostic value of a series of biochemical parameters, with special reference to the diagnosis of neonatal HIE. Currently many specific biochemical markers of brain injury are being investigated to assess regional brain damage after perinatal asphyxia in neonates of which serum protein S-100β, brain-specific creatine kinase, neuron-specific enolase, IL6 and urinary uric acid levels appear promising in identifying patients with a risk of developing hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Whether detection of elevated serum concentrations of these proteins reflects long-term neurodevelopmental impairment remains to be investigated.