Association of serum neuron-specific enolase with nerve injury in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

Objective To explore the association of the dynamic concentration of serum neuron-specific enolase(NSE) with the severity of neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy(HIE). Methods 107 neonates with HIE who had been treated in our center from June 2006 to June 2009 were divided into groups of mild, moderate and severe HIE. Serum NSE concentrations were detected. The electrophysiological and imaging data in the acute phase were statistically analyzed. Results The serum NSE concentrations were significantly higher in the groups of HIE than in the control group; and the NES concetrations were markedly highter in the groups of moderate and severe HIE than in the control group and the group of mild HIE. The serum NSE level did not differ statistically among the groups divided by the severity of the ultrasonic examinations. The NSE concentration in the acute phase of HIE was significantly higher in the patients with severe abnormality of head CT scans than those with mild to moderate abnormality. The NSE concentrations differed significantly between the groups of HIE and the group of BAEP or EEG in the acute phase. Conclusions Serum NSE concentration is a sensitive biochemical indicator for reflecting the severity of nerve injury in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy earlier.