S100 protein content of umbilical cord blood in healthy newborns in relation to mode of delivery
- J W Wirds1,
- A E J Duyn2,
- S D Geraerts3,
- E Preijer5,
- J A A M van Diemen-Steenvoorde3,
- J H Schagen van Leeuwen2,
- F J L M Haas4,
- W B M Gerritsen4,
- A de Boer5,
- J A Leusink1
- 1Department of Anesthesiology, St Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands
- 2Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, St Antonius Hospital
- 3Department of Pediatrics, St Antonius Hospital
- 4Clinical Laboratory, St Antonius Hospital
- 5Department of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacotherapy, Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Correspondence to:
Dr Wirds, PO Box 2500, 3430 EM Nieuwegein, The Netherlands;
jwwirds{at}planet.nl
- Accepted 29 April 2002
Abstract
Background: Early detection and quantification of brain damage in neonatal asphyxia is important. In adults, S100 protein in blood is associated with damage to the central nervous system.
Objective: To determine whether S100 protein can be detected in arterial and venous cord blood of healthy newborns and to relate S100 protein concentrations in cord blood to mode of delivery.
Method: S100 protein levels in umbilical cord blood of 81 healthy infants were determined.
Results: S100 protein was present in arterial (median concentration 1.62 μg/l) and venous (median concentration 1.36 μg/l) cord blood. Levels were significantly higher in vaginal births (median arterial concentration 1.72 μg/l; median venous concentration 1.48 μg/l) than births by caesarean section (1.51 μg/l and 1.26 μg/l respectively).
Conclusion: More research is necessary to determine whether S100 protein is a useful marker in neonatal asphyxia.
