C1 inhibitor level on neonatal sepsis and its relations with clinical findings

Generalised oedema is a frequent finding during neonatal sepsis, but its aetiology remains uncertain.

The objective of this study was to measure functional C1 inhibitor (fC1 inh) levels in newborns with culture-proven sepsis, compare the results with age- and gestational age (GA)-matched controls and correlate the results with the clinical course of the patients during infection, with regard to vascular leak and oedema formation.

Newborns with blood culture-proven sepsis were included and samples for C1 inh levels were obtained before the beginning of antibiotic therapy and on the 3rd day of treatment. Body weight, urine output and other treatment modalities including volume boluses were recorded. Oedema formation as a sign of vascular leak was determined by calculating percent weight change over time. Age- and GA-matched newborns without infection were used as controls.

No difference was observed between the patient and the control groups concerning fC1 inh levels. Percent weight change in the patient group was not correlated with the C1 inh levels.

Despite studies suggesting the role of C1 inhibitor deficiency in vascular leak during sepsis in adults, there is no information in the literature regarding the C1 inh levels of healthy or septic newborns to date. In this study, fC1 inh levels were no different than controls, necessitating the consideration of other factors causing vascular leak and oedema during neonatal sepsis.