Markers of brain damage in full-term newborns with intrauterine growth retardation

Abstract

The increase in the number of newborns with intrauterine growth retardation, who are characterized not only by high perinatal morbidity and mortality, but also by neurodevelopmental disorders in later life, has determined a wide search for diagnostic markers of prenatal hypoxia for a timely objective assessment of brain damage and a justification of neuroprotection methods. This article presents literature data on biomarkers and methods of instrumental diagnosis of brain damage that have received evidence of the effectiveness of their use in early neonatal life of newborns with intrauterine growth retardation. It is emphasized that such biomarkers as S100B, NSE, and BDNF proteins are the most reliable and easy to determine non-invasively. However, for their wide application in clinical practice, it is necessary to establish reference values in umbilical cord blood and urine, while taking into account the gestational age, sex, and method of giving birth, and to unify the use of laboratory analysis systems and diagnostic tests for this purpose. The comparison of biomarker indicators with cerebral oximetry, electroencephalogram and magnetic resonance imaging data will allow for developing new approaches to the treatment of perinatal pathology and, largely, preventing adverse consequences in those born with intrauterine growth retardation.