Abstract
Objective. A neonatal intensive care unit is a working environment at high incidence of stressful events and the incidence of neuropsychological disorders in physicians working in these units is high. To date no reliable data are available on cerebral function monitoring. We therefore investigated whether there is a change in concentrations of S100B protein, an established marker of brain distress, in biological fluids (blood, urine) of physicians on duty in a NICU during day and night duty shifts.
Design and Setting. We conducted an observational study in which each case served as control. Participants. Seven physicians out of a total of 10 on duty at the tertiary referral centre for NICUs of the Giannina Gaslini Children's University Hospital (25 beds with a transport service for neonatal emergencies) were admitted to the study. Intervention. Clinical evaluation, standard laboratory monitoring parameters and blood cortisol levels were determined at eight time-points.
Main Outcome Measures. S100B measurements in blood and urine were assessed, using an immunoluminometric assay, at eight predetermined time points (every 4 hours) during day (8 a.m-8 p.m.) and night (8 p.m.-8 a.m.) 12-hour shifts.
Results. During working hours clinical and laboratory parameters were within normal ranges. S100B levels in urine and blood varied significantly from the protein levels measured at the beginning of each shift, peaking at the end of both day and night time points (p<0.001).
Conclusions. Increased longitudinal blood and urine S100B concentrations measured in physicians during NICU duty could suggest brain distress in the subjects under examination at a time when standard monitoring procedures are silent.
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gazzolo, D., Bruschettini, M., Peri, V. et al. 56 S100B Concentration in Blood and Urine is Increased in Neonatal Intensive Care Physicians on Duty. Pediatr Res 58, 364 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200508000-00085
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200508000-00085
