S100B protein is increased in feto-placental circulation in IUGR

We studied the correlation between S100B protein, an acidic calcium binding protein previously demonstrated as a reliable indicator of brain lesion, a nd the degree of fetoplacental blood flow impairment to examine whether S10 0B could be helpful in the detection of brain sufferance in intrauterine gr owth retarded (IUGR) fetuses. Mean S100B protein in umbilical plasma were h igher in IUGR patients than in controls, and particularly in those cases in which brain sparing was present. Fetal S100B concentrations were correlate d with middle cerebral artery PI and with umbilical artery PI / middle cere bral artery PI ratio. This study provides evidence that fetal S100B protein is increased in IUGR and suggests that it may play an important role as in dicator of brain sufferance in the perinatal period.