Aims The levels of matrix metalloproteinase-3 and soluble fraction of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 were investigated in blood serum.

Methods The prospective clinical and laboratory investigation of 60 newborns was made for the purpose of studying mechanisms of formation of paroxysmal states in newborns with cerebral hypoxia – ischemia. They formed two groups: group 1–40 children with paroxysmal disorders, group 2–20 healthy children. The investigation was made on days 6–7 and 25–28. Paroxysmal disorders were represented by generalised tonic-clonic seizures, isolated focal seizures, focal seizures with secondary generalisation, myoclonias.

Results It was detected that in case of the recurrent character of paroxysmal states in the examined children an increase and deteriorative intensification is noted in peripheral blood in the dynamics of observation of matrix metalloproteinase-3, while the level of intercellular adhesion molecule remained equally heightened during the whole period of observation as compared with the control group.

Conclusions Thus, it is established that an increase in the level of matrix metalloproteinase-3 as an early marker of the cerebral structure injury forming blood-brain barrier under the conditions of cerebral hypoxic-ischaemic injury of CNS takes place in the onset of paroxysmal disorders in newborns of the examined groups.