Affiliations: Department of Pediatrics, Neuropediatrics Service,
Hospital Clínico Universitario, School of Medicine, University of
Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Note: [] Correspondence: Prof. Manuel Castro-Gago, Servicio de
Neuropediatría, Departamento de Pediatría, Hospital
Clínico-Universitario, La Choupana 15706, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
Tel.: +34 981 951121; Fax: +34 981 531987; E-mail:
manuel.castro.gago@usc.es
Abstract: On the basis of the physiopathological mechanisms involved in the
brain damage related to hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy of the newborn, a
number of metabolic parameters have been studied with the aim to provide an early
and reliable marker of tissue injury for diagnostic and prognostic purpose.
Some authors have even suggested that biochemical indicators may be more
effective than the results of clinical, Apgar score, pH in cord blood,
electroencephalographic and neuroimaging data. 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
hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. For methodological purpose the exposition is
structured in the following sections: creatine kinase isoenzymes; lactate;
lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase and hydroxibutirate
dehydrogenase; excitatory amino acids; glial fibrillary acidic protein;
cytokines; neuron-specific enolase; oxypurines; cyclic adenosine monophosphate;
and others. The current role of the above mentioned biochemical parameters as
predictors of brain damage and the future perspectives on this topic are
discussed.
