ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the changes of urinary S100B protein concentrations and their relationship with brain damage in preterm infants there of . Methods: The urinary S100B protein of 84 preterm infants and 26 full term infants, which were used as control, were measured at 24 h and 120 h after birth. At the same time, routine clinical observations, neurologic patterns and ultrasound screens were recorded. The value of urinary S100B protein and brain damage were evaluated in preterm infants with different gestational age. Results: The differences of urinary S100B protein were statistical significance between the different gestations. The levels of urinary S100B protein were higher in preterm infants, whose gestations were lower than 32 W, than those of other groups. The levels of S100B protein were significantly higher in samples of 27 peri-intraventricular hemorrhage (PIVH) and 3 peri-ventricular leukomalacia(PVL) than those in samples without brain damage( P ＜ 0.05). The S100B levels were significantly higher in urine of 10 preterm infants with polycethemia than those in infants without brain damages. In addition, the S100B levels were different in urine of preterm infants with different prognosis. The S100B levels were significantly higher in urine of infants who died or deteriorated than those of others(P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion: There is an evident trend of decrease in urinary S100B protein concentration with increasing gestational age. It will be helpful to identify preterm infants with PIVH,PVL and high risk of brain damages by measurement of S100B protein in urine early after birth, which indicates further inspection, provides protective treatment and enhances follow up.