Neuron-specific enolase in comatose children
T. Nara, H. Nozaki, Y. Nakae, T. Arai and T. Ohashi
Division of Neurology, Children's Medical Center, Saitama, Japan.
Sequential examination of neuron-specific enolase in cerebrospinal fluid
and serum was performed in 20 comatose children with acute encephalitis,
acute encephalopathy, or Reye's syndrome. Neuron-specific enolase
activities corresponded to the degree of brain damage. As neuron-specific
enolase levels increased to greater than 80 ng/mL, patients had more severe
impairment or died. Neuron-specific enolase may be a useful marker for
evaluating the degree of neuronal damage and prognosis.
