OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic va lue of serum neuron specific enolase(NSE) and single photo emission computed tomography(SPECT) regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF) imaging in childhood status epilepticus(SE). METHODS: Serum NSE concentration was assayed in 28 children with SE and in 40 normal controls using E LISA. SPECT rCBF imaging was performed in 15 cases of SE. RESULTS: The mean serum NSE concentration in the SE patients [(15.13± 6.22) μg/L] was higher than that in normal cont rols [(2.64± 0.77) μg/L] on day 1(P < 0.01). However,it gradually reduced from day 3 and normalized on da y 7. SPECT rCBF imaging was abnormal in 11 of the 15 SE cases.CONCLUSIONS: Serum NSE is a marker in the diagnosis of brain injury in children with SE. SPECT rCBF imaging may be useful in assessing the location of brain injury in children with SE.