Get 20M+ Full-Text Papers For Less Than $1.50/day. Start a 14-Day Trial for You or Your Team.

Learn More →

Cerebral Palsy Clues

Cerebral Palsy Clues Inflammation and blood clotting abnormalities may play an important role in the pathogenesis of cerebral palsy (CP) in full-term infants, according to a new study led by researchers at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (Ann Neurol. 1998;44:665-667). In the study, the investigators tested blood samples collected from infants shortly after birth—archival samples originally collected for routine screening for metabolic disorders—for levels of cytokines, known to be markers of inflammation, as well as coagulation factors. Thirty-one of the samples were from children who had developed CP (most of whom had been born full-term and had no clear explanation for the disorder) and 65 who had not developed the condition. The investigators found that, compared with the control children, every child later diagnosed with CP had higher levels of five cytokines: tumor necrosis factor α, RANTES, and interleukins 1, 8, and 9. Most of the children who later developed CP also had substantial elevations of several other cytokines and of at least one coagulation factor. Although it is unclear how elevated levels of these substances might increase the risk of CP, cytokine production is known to be influenced by many factors, including infection, autoimmune disorders, trauma, oxygen deprivation, and tumors. Such elements, or perhaps some other genetic or environmental factor, may boost the levels of toxic cytokines that damage neurons and interfere with normal brain development. If the work is confirmed in a larger population of subjects, the finding may enable clinicians to identify infants at risk for the disorder and perhaps prevent brain damage or lessen its severity with medications such as antibiotics or anticoagulants. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png JAMA American Medical Association

Cerebral Palsy Clues

JAMA , Volume 280 (15) – Oct 21, 1998

Cerebral Palsy Clues

Abstract

Inflammation and blood clotting abnormalities may play an important role in the pathogenesis of cerebral palsy (CP) in full-term infants, according to a new study led by researchers at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (Ann Neurol. 1998;44:665-667). In the study, the investigators tested blood samples collected from infants shortly after birth—archival samples originally collected for routine screening for metabolic disorders—for levels of cytokines,...
Loading next page...
 
/lp/american-medical-association/cerebral-palsy-clues-5IsZR50edE

References (0)

References for this paper are not available at this time. We will be adding them shortly, thank you for your patience.

Publisher
American Medical Association
Copyright
Copyright © 1998 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.
ISSN
0098-7484
eISSN
1538-3598
DOI
10.1001/jama.280.15.1298-JHA80008-4-1
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Inflammation and blood clotting abnormalities may play an important role in the pathogenesis of cerebral palsy (CP) in full-term infants, according to a new study led by researchers at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (Ann Neurol. 1998;44:665-667). In the study, the investigators tested blood samples collected from infants shortly after birth—archival samples originally collected for routine screening for metabolic disorders—for levels of cytokines, known to be markers of inflammation, as well as coagulation factors. Thirty-one of the samples were from children who had developed CP (most of whom had been born full-term and had no clear explanation for the disorder) and 65 who had not developed the condition. The investigators found that, compared with the control children, every child later diagnosed with CP had higher levels of five cytokines: tumor necrosis factor α, RANTES, and interleukins 1, 8, and 9. Most of the children who later developed CP also had substantial elevations of several other cytokines and of at least one coagulation factor. Although it is unclear how elevated levels of these substances might increase the risk of CP, cytokine production is known to be influenced by many factors, including infection, autoimmune disorders, trauma, oxygen deprivation, and tumors. Such elements, or perhaps some other genetic or environmental factor, may boost the levels of toxic cytokines that damage neurons and interfere with normal brain development. If the work is confirmed in a larger population of subjects, the finding may enable clinicians to identify infants at risk for the disorder and perhaps prevent brain damage or lessen its severity with medications such as antibiotics or anticoagulants.

Journal

JAMAAmerican Medical Association

Published: Oct 21, 1998

Keywords: cerebral palsy

There are no references for this article.