S-100 SERUM LEVELS AFTER MINOR AND MAJOR HEAD-INJURY

Background: S-100, a protein of astroglial cells, is described as a ma rker for central nervous system damage, The aim of this study was to e valuate whether the marker could give information about the severity a nd possibility of functional recovery after minor and severe head inju ry. Methods: Thirty patients after severe head injury (Glasgow Coma Sc ale score < 9) and 11 patients after minor head injury (Glasgow Coma S tale score > 12) were included. In each case, blood samples were drawn within 6 hours after injury. Outcome was estimated at hospital discha rge using the Glasgow Outcome Scale.Results: All patients who sustaine d minor head injury had reached a favorable outcome by the time they w ere discharged from the hospital. Their mean S-100 serum level was 0.3 5 mu g/L. Patients who sustained severe head injury and were classifie d as having an unfavorable outcome (31%) showed a mean serum concentra tion of 4.9 mu g/L, whereas patients classified as having a favorable outcome (69%) had a mean S-100 level of 1.2 mu g/L. All groups differe d significantly (p < 0.05) Conclusion: S-100 appears to be a promising marker for the severity of head injury and neuronal damage.