Serum S100β Levels in Asphyxiated Neonates in Enugu, South-East Nigeria

Background: Perinatal asphyxia remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality globally, representing the 3rd most common cause of neonatal death after pre-term births and severe infections. Brain injury following severe asphyxia insult usually end up with Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy associated with elaboration of biomarkers of neuronal injury one of which is S100β. The aim of this study was to determine the serum levels of S100β protein in asphyxiated and non-asphyxiated neonates aged 0-6hrs. Materials and Methods: comparative, cross-sectional study of 100 subjects (50 subjects with neonatal asphyxia, and 50 controls) over a seven-month period to determine the serum levels of S100β, using ELISA kit, in asphyxiated and non-asphyxiated newborns delivered at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu. Data was collected and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences SPSS version 20. Significant levels were assumed at p-values less than 0.05. Results: The mean cord blood S100β levels (213pg/ml) of asphyxiated babies was higher than the mean (45.68pg/ml) obtained in non-asphyxiated babies(p=0.000). Conclusion: Asphyxiated neonates have significantly higher S100β protein level than non-asphyxiated neonates.