Abstract

Aim: The laboratory and imaging methods are not sufficiently sensitive to determine precisely the neurotoxic effects of bilirubin in
neonates. The neuron-specific enolase and calcium binding protein B, which are sensitive biomarkers of cellular damage in the central
nerve system, were used in the present study to demonstrate possible neurotoxic effects of bilirubin below 20 mg/dL. We hypothesized
that neuron-specific enolase and calcium binding protein B might be helpful for our purposes.
Material and Methods: The present study included 33 full-term infants hospitalized for phototherapy treatment (patient group) along with
29 healthy full-term infants (control group). The serum bilirubin levels of the patient group were all below 20 mg/dl. Two serum samples
were obtained from all 62 infants at an interval of at least 48hrs which were used for the measurement of bilirubin, calcium binding protein
B, and neuron-specific enolase levels.
Results: There was no significant difference in terms of the serum levels of calcium binding protein B between the patient and control
groups but there was a significant difference of the serum levels of neuron-specific enolase between the groups. In addition, there were no
significant changes in the levels of calcium binding protein B and neuron-specific enolase among the patient group before and after the
phototherapy.
Conclusion: We conclude that, considering the serum levels of calcium binding protein B and neuron-specific enolase, a serum bilirubin
level of

Key words: Bilirubin Encephalopathy; Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia; Neuron-Specific Enolase; Calcium Binding Protein B.