The determination of normal value and clinical significance for NSE in serum and CSF in children

Objective: To define the reference range for Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) among different ages, and explore the relatoinship of NSE levels between in serum and in CSF among both healthy children and neonates with HIE, meanwhile, to discuss various kinds of factors having influence on the result of the test. Methods: The NSE levels in serum and CSF were measured by ELISA in healthy children and neonates with HIE. Results: The NSE levels in serum and CSF didn't correlated with sex and age in 66 healthy children. The specimen collection, preservation, dose of specimen and the process of operation were found as the factors influencing the test determination. The NSE levels in serum and CSF in neonates with HIE correlated greatedly with the severity of the patient's condition (t=2.95~6.38, P 0.01). The changes of NSE levels in serum of both heathy children and neonates with HIE were very correlated to those in CSF (r=83.5~87.3). Conclusion: Since the NSE levels in children's serum and CSF have no diffences in sex and age, only one normal value is needed for all children. The change of NSE level in serum can reflect the degree of neuron injury. The determination of NSE in serum and CSF can be used to estimate the severity of HIE in children, and to direct the treatment of these patients.