Early life serum neurofilament dynamics predict neurodevelopmental outcome of preterm infants.
Goeral K., Hauck A., Atkinson A., Wagner MB., Pimpel B., Fuiko R., Klebermass-Schrehof K., Leppert D., Kuhle J., Berger A., Olischar M., Wellmann S.
Background and purposeTo determine whether neurofilament light chain (NfL), a promising serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarker of neuroaxonal damage, predicts functional outcome in preterm infants with neonatal brain injury.MethodsOur prospective observational study used a sensitive single-molecule array assay to measure serum and CSF NfL concentrations in preterm infants with moderate to severe peri/intraventricular hemorrhage (PIVH). We determined temporal serum and CSF NfL profiles from the initial diagnosis of PIVH until term-equivalent age and their association with clinical and neurodevelopmental outcome until 2 years of age assessed by Bayley Scales of Infant Development (3rd edition). We fitted univariate and multivariate logistic regression models to determine risk factors for poor motor and cognitive development.ResultsThe study included 48 infants born at ConclusionsSerum neurofilament light chain dynamics in the first weeks of life predict motor outcome in preterm infants with PIVH.