Fibrin-fibrinogen degradation products in cerebrospinal fluid as an indicator of neonatal brain damage

Abstract
Occurrence of brain damage in 57 full term human neonates was investigated. The infants were submitted to a prospective protocol involving clinical (neurological and EEG) and biological examinations, including the determination of fibrin-fibrinogen degradation products [FDP] in the blood and CSF on D1 [day 1], D3, D8 and D15. Paychomotor events were followed up for a year. Traumatic lumbar taps did not disturb the results significantly. Blood samples did not contain noticeable amounts of FDP. The existence of FDP in CSF was not infrequent near delivery and was closely related to brain damage as evaluated by psychomotor events.