Aim Perinatal central nervous system (CNS) damage encompasses a spectrum of diverse brain injuries occurring during pregnancy, childbirth, and the early days of a child’s life. The identification of autoantibodies to organs and tissues represents a contemporary approach for the preclinical diagnosis of functional and organic changes. This study aimed to discern the predisposition to CNS pathology in low-birth-weight newborns through immunochemical screening.

Material and Method A total of 76 newborns were examined, with Group 1 comprising 33 infants whose weight aligned with gestational age, and Group 2 consisting of 31 infants with low birth weight. A comparison group was formed by healthy full-term newborns. The study assessed the levels of 12 types of IgG autoantibodies targeting brain cell antigenic components and receptors. The determination of autoantibodies was accomplished using the solid-phase IFA method with the ‘ELI-Neuro-12-Test’ test system developed by Immunculus in Russia.

Results Analysis of the results revealed pathologically elevated levels of neurotropic autoantibodies in low-birth-weight newborns. Specifically, autoantibodies to NF-200, GFAR, S100B, MBP (Myelin Basic Protein) and all studied receptor types showed heightened levels, indicating potential disruptions in the CNS. The MBP autoantibody levels were notably increased, pointing towards disturbances in axon myelination in conducting pathways. Furthermore, autoantibodies targeting cholinergic receptors demonstrated significant elevation, placing them in the ‘red zone’ for both Group 1 and 2, with a significant difference from full-term healthy infants. Elevated autoantibodies to serotonin, opioid, and beta-endorphin receptors suggested potential receptor damage, serving as precursors to cognitive and emotional-volitional sphere disturbances, impaired learning abilities, and a lowered pain perception threshold.

Conclusions Nhis study highlights a substantial degree of nerve tissue damage in low-birth-weight newborns. These findings hold valuable implications for the development of individualized rehabilitation programs for these vulnerable infants, emphasizing the importance of early intervention and targeted care.