AMNIOTIC-FLUID NEURON-SPECIFIC ENOLASE - A ROLE IN PREDICTING NEONATAL NEUROLOGIC INJURY

Objective: To determine the relationship between amniotic fluid (AF) n euron-specific enolase and the development of neonatal intraventricula r hemorrhage and periventricular leucomalacia. Methods: Thirty-nine AF samples, obtained from women in preterm labor between 24 and 32 weeks ' gestation, were analyzed for neuron-specific enolase. All women deli vered preterm neonates who had neurosonograms on the 3rd and 7th days of life. The results of the neurosonograms were used to divide the stu dy population first into normal and abnormal groups, then into normal, minor, and major brain lesion groups. The groups were compared for th e median neuron-specific enolase, proportion with values of 6 mu g/L o r more, and other demographic characteristics, Results: There were no differences between the groups' maternal and neonatal characteristics. However, the abnormal group had significantly higher median value of neuron-specific enolase than the normal group (9.5 mu g/L, and 2.0 mu g/L, respectively; P < .001). The median neuron-specific enolase level s for the major, minor, and normal groups were 9.75 mu g/L, 6.5 mu g/L and 2.0 mu g/L, respectively (P < .001). The optimum cutoff point, wi th a sensitivity of 89% and specificity of 100%, was 6 mu g/L; 89% of the abnormals had values of 6 mu g/L or more, compared with none of th e normals (P < .001). The risk of developing intraventricular hemorrha ge or periventricular leucomalacia was 11.5 times greater when AF neur on-specific enolase levels were 6 mu g/L or more. Conclusion: Amniotic fluid neuron-specific enolase is a useful marker of neonatal neurolog ic injury. (Obstet Gynecol 1995;92:546-50. (C) 1998 by The American Co llege of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.).