GLIAL FIBRILLARY ACIDIC PROTEIN IS INCREASED IN THE CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID OF PRETERM INFANTS WITH ABNORMAL NEUROLOGICAL FINDINGS

Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is the structural protein of th e intermediate filament of astroglia. The aims of the present study we re to examine GFAP in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of preterm infants at different postmenstrual ages and to evaluate the potential of GFAP to predict abnormal neurodevelopmental outcome. GFAP increased in cor relation with postmenstrual age in preterm infants (n = 17) and full-t erm infants (n = 9). The levels were five times higher in preterm infa nts (n = 10) with an abnormal neonatal course and/or an abnormal neuro logical outcome than in healthy preterm infants. The positive predicti ve value of a GFAP higher than the 98th percentile of normal infants w as 69%, while a GFAP level below this limit invariably predicted a goo d outcome. Simultaneously analysed noradrenaline, hypoxanthine and glu tamate did not differ between the groups. We conclude that CSF GFAP in creases with maturity and that CSF GFAP appears to be a promising mark er for perinatal brain damage.