The Aim of this study To evaluate the effect of selective head cooling (introduced 3 months ago in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the University Children’s Hospital in Skopje-Macedonia) on S100 B protein levels, previously measured only in normothermic infants after perinatal asphyxia and the preliminary neurodevelopment outcome at the age of 3 months.

Methods All risk neonates with severe asphyxia admitted within 24h of injury were eligible for inclusion in the study. One serum blood sample was obtained from each patient the first day of admission, and 48h and 72h hours after admission. S100B levels were measured using ECLIA method (Electro-Chemil-Luminiscence Immuno Assay-Elecsys 2010-Roche Diagnostic).

Results The avarage serum S100B levels for the control group (N=48) was 0.12 microgL (–1) (cut-off point). Serum S100B levels were grossly elevated in both HT and NT groups of infants with asphyxia. The differences were statistically significant as follows: a) between the first (24h) and second (day 4) time interval significant at p<0.05; b) between the second (day 4) and third (day 7) time interval significant at p<0,005; c) between the first (24h) and third (day 7) time interval significant at p≤0,001. Serum S100B values were lower in HT (selective head cooling infants) compared to NT infants (p=0.049 at 48 hours).

Conclusion Serum S100B levels were lower in the HT group after 72h, and strongly correlated with the neurodevelopment impairment. S100B levels are highly elevated following asphyxia. Serum S100B levels are lowering in the HT and strongly correlate with the early neurodevelopment outcome.