Changes of β-Endorphin and Neuron-Specific Enolase Levels in Children with Convulsion and Their Clinical Significances

Objective To explore the changes of β-endorphin (β-EP)and neuron-specific enolase (NSE)levels in children with convulsion and their clinical significances .Methods Sixty-two children with convulsion were served as convulsion group, and 20 healthy children were served as normal control group. The blood samples were collected within the first 24 h after seizure. The level of β-EP was measured by radioimmunoassay. The level of NSE was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results 1. The levels of blood β-EP and NSE in children with convulsion groups (including viral encephalitis,epilepsy and febrile convulsion group)were significantly higher than those in normal control group(Pa0.01). There were no significant differences among viral encephalitis,epilepsy and febrile convulsion groups(Pa0.05). 2. The levels of blood β-EP and NSE in children with convulsion group (including common group and serious group)were significantly higher than those in normal control group(Pa0.01).The levels of β-EP and NSE in children with serious convulsion were significantly higher than those in normal control group(Pa0.01).The more times the seizure, the longer lasting time, the more severe the seizure, and the higher levels of β-EP and NSE. 3. β-EP was positively correlated with NSE in children with convulsion at acute stage(r=0.86 P0.01).Conclusions The levels of blood β-EP and NSE in children with convulsion are significantly higher after seizure,which has a close correlation with the severity of brain injury, and they may serve as objective indicators in the early prediction of the degree of brain injury.