Thrombomodulin and antiβ2-glycoprotein I in stroke in children

Background: A quantitative systematic review recently discussed the role of thrombomodulin (Thm) and anti beta 2-glycoprotein I (beta 2-GPI) in cerebral strokes in adults. Little is known about the problem in children. The aim of the study was to see if there is a difference in the values of Thm and beta 2-GPI in children with ischemic stroke. Material/Methods: Seventy patients were included, comprising 40 children who had had ischemic stroke of unknown etiology hospitalized from January 1995 to December 2005 at the Department of Developmental Neurology, Chair of Neurology Medical University of Gdansk, and 30 healthy volunteers (no autoimmunologic disease or headache in interview). The concentrations of thrombomodulin (Thm) and anti beta 2-glycoprotein I (beta 2-GPI) in A, M, and G immunoglobulins were determined according to an immunoenzyme method (ELISA). Results: None of the investigated subjects had elevated levels of beta 2-GPI. The patients with stroke had significantly higher Thm values than the healthy group. Conclusions: This finding of elevated levels of thrombomodulin in cases of pediatric cerebral stroke could help in measuring the extent or duration of parenchymal brain injury, or even perhaps response to future therapeutic maneuvers. All these implications may aid not only in the diagnosis and management of acute ischemic stroke, but encourage prophylactic action to prevent probable stroke relapse.