The present study examined whether serum
biomarkers can predict the prognosis of childhood
epilepsy, including seizure frequency, electroencephalographic (EEG) changes, and
cognitive impairment. We measured serum concentrations of high mobility group
protein B1 (
HMGB1), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), S100
calcium-binding protein B (S-100B),
glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and α1-antichymotrypsin (AACT) in 180 children with new-onset
epilepsy and 40 healthy children. Cognitive evaluations were performed 18 months after the initial seizure episodes at diagnosis (ie, baseline visit). The relationship between serum
biomarkers and
epilepsy prognosis was investigated using Pearson correlation coefficients, logistic regression analyses, and receiver operating characteristic curves. Sixty-seven patients had
generalized tonic-clonic seizures, 92 had focal
motor seizures, and 21 had epileptic
spasms. Serum concentrations of
HMGB1, IL-1β, S-100B, and GFAP were significantly higher in the
epilepsy group within 24 hours of a seizure episode than in the control group. Furthermore,
HMGB1 and IL-1β were significant predictors of
epilepsy prognosis. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that
HMGB1 could more accurately predict seizure frequency than IL-1β; when the serum concentration of
HMGB1 was >9.625 ng/mL, there was 80.6% sensitivity and 92.5% specificity for predicting seizure frequency reduction. In conclusion,
HMGB1 and IL-1β have a predictive value for
epilepsy prognosis in children.