[Levels of some cytokines in infants with central nervous system damage]

Two cytokines--interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels have been studied in infants with CNS damage of different severity. The more was the brain lesion severity, the higher the TNF-alpha level increased. IL-1 beta levels were reduced significantly in severe brain injury caused by hypoxia. Chronic hypoxia combined with intrauterine infection and/or a risk of the latter was accompanied by imbalance of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha secretion.