Maliheh Kadivar - Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Children’s Medical Center, Tehran, Iran
Razieh Sangsari - Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Children’s Medical Center, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad Reza Zarkesh - ۲. Maternal, Fetal, and Neonatal Research Center, Family Health Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ۳. Department of Neonatology, Yas Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mahmoud Reza Ashrafi - ۴. Department of Pediatric Neurology, Growth and Development Research Center, Children's Medical Center, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Shirin Shamel - ۲. Maternal, Fetal, and Neonatal Research Center, Family Health Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran ۳. Department of Neonatology, Yas Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Kayvan Mirnia - Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Children’s Medical Center, Tehran, Iran
Maryam Saeedi - Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Children’s Medical Center, Tehran, Iran
Parastoo Rosmati - Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Growth and Development Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Children’s Medical Center, Tehran, Iran

Background: Altered concentrations of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood amino acids may be related to epilepsy or the severity of the seizure. In the present study, we assessed the concentrations of amino acids in CSF and plasma in neonates with refractory seizures. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, ۲۷ neonates aged ۱ to ۵۶ days with refractory seizures were included. Blood and CSF samples were collected from each neonate within ۲۴ hours after receiving ۲nd antiseizure medications. All plasma and CSF samples were sent to the laboratory to measure amino acid concentrations. The associations between CSF and plasma amino acid levels with different variables were evaluated. Results: Except for leucine (P=۰.۱۵) and isoleucine (P=۰.۰۷), the levels of all amino acids were significantly higher in plasma than CSF. Significant associations were observed between types of seizure and plasma citrulline (P=۰.۰۰۸) and leucine concentrations (P=۰.۰۴). The mean of CSF glutamic acid was also statistically different among neonates with different EEG results (P=۰.۰۲). Conclusion: Our findings indicate that several plasma and CSF amino acids could be candidate biomarkers for neonatal refractory seizures. Further studies with larger sample size are to confirm our findings.

Amino acid, Cerebrospinal fluid, Plasma, Seizure