Cord Blood Levels of Interleukin-6 and Interleukin-8 for the Immediate Diagnosis of Early-Onset Infection in Premature Infants (original) (raw)

Neonatology, 2001

Abstract

Background: Cytokine plasma levels are suggested to be sensitive indicators of neonatal sepsis, but conventional assays are time consuming. This study aimed at evaluating the significance of cord blood levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 determined by a fully automated random access assay within 90 min of admission to predict systemic bacterial infection. Patients and Methods: Cord blood levels of IL-6 and IL-8 were determined in 71 mature and 100 premature infants by a chemiluminescence assay (Immulite®). Patients were divided into four groups according to a clinical and laboratory scoring system. Group A: documented early-onset infection; group B: infection possible; group C: infection unlikely, and group D: healthy newborns. Results: Median IL-6 levels in the subgroup of premature newborns were as follows: group A, 1,920 pg/ml (5–95% confidence interval 308–4,660 pg/ml); group B, 50 (15–102) pg/ml; group C, 21 (12–71) pg/ml, and group D, 8 (6–11) pg/ml. For IL-8, median levels ...

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