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Updated: Aug 19, 2026
Proliferation and Differentiation of Murine Myeloid Precursor 32D/G-CSF-R Cells
Published on: February 21, 2018
A randomized, controlled trial of prophylactic granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in human newborns
1Department of Haematology, King's College, St Thomas' Hospital, London,United Kingdom.
Objective:
Preterm neonates undergoing intensive care have high morbidity from sepsis. These infants also frequently develop neutropenia, and when this is associated with sepsis, mortality is high. This study investigates the potential for granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) to effect a clinically relevant increase in neutrophil number when used prophylactically in high-risk preterm neonates, and assesses its safety in this population.
Design:
In an open, randomized, controlled study, 75 neonates (25 small for gestational age) <32 weeks gestation were randomized to receive GM-CSF (10 microg/kg/d) by subcutaneous injection for 5 days from <72 hours after birth, or to a control group. The primary outcome measure was the neutrophil count during 14 days from study entry. The infants were monitored for potential toxicity. Clinical outcomes, sepsis, and mortality, were recorded, but this initial study was not designed to address clinical benefit.
Results:
Prophylactic GM-CSF therapy completely abolished neutropenia in treated infants, when both well and septic, throughout the period of study. Neutropenia (
Conclusion:
Five-day prophylactic GM-CSF completely abolishes postnatal neutropenia and sepsis-induced neutropenia in preterm neonates at high risk of sepsis, and so removes an important risk factor for sepsis and sepsis-related mortality.GM-CSF, preterm neonates, neutropenia, sepsis.
