Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2026
A Neonatal Imaging Model of Gram-Negative Bacterial Sepsis
Published on: August 12, 2020
Increased cord serum inflammatory markers in small-for-gestational-age neonates
G Amarilyo1, A Oren, F B Mimouni
1Department of Neonatology, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Insights
Infants experiencing small-for-gestational-age (SGA) birth have higher levels of inflammatory markers in cord blood. This finding suggests a link between fetal hypoxia and inflammation, impacting infant health.
Area of Science:
- Perinatology
- Neonatology
- Inflammation Research
Background:
- Ischemic tissue injury and inflammation share pathological features.
- Hypoxia can induce interleukin-6 (IL-6), potentially modulating inflammatory responses.
- Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) serves as a model for chronic fetal hypoxia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate elevated inflammatory marker concentrations in the cord blood of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants.
- To explore the relationship between fetal hypoxia and inflammation in newborns.
Main Methods:
- Cord blood samples were collected from 20 SGA infants and 20 appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) controls.
- Exclusion criteria included maternal smoking, diabetes, chronic diseases, or substance use.
- Cytokines, thrombopoietin (TPO), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured using ELISA and turbidometric immunoassay.
Main Results:
- SGA infants exhibited significantly lower birth weight and gestational age compared to AGA controls.
- Elevated levels of IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), CRP, and TPO were observed in SGA infants.
- These inflammatory marker elevations remained significant even after adjusting for gestational age.
Conclusions:
- The study confirmed the hypothesis of increased inflammatory markers in SGA infants' cord blood.
- Findings suggest a correlation between chronic fetal hypoxia, IUGR, and heightened inflammatory status at birth.
Objective:
The pathological picture in ischemic tissue injury shares features with the inflammatory response. Hypoxia-mediated induction of interleukin-6 (IL-6) could set in motion the mechanisms limiting inflammation in ischemia. Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) represents a human model of chronic fetal hypoxia. The purpose of this study was a first-time exploration to determine whether cord blood obtained at the delivery of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants has increased concentrations of inflammatory markers.
Study Design:
Cord blood was collected from 20 SGA (term and near-term) infants and 20 appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) controls. Infants exposed to maternal smoking, diabetes, maternal chronic diseases, or alcohol or drug use were excluded. Both groups had Apgar score ≥7 at 1 min with a normal cord pH (>7.25). Cord-serum cytokines and thrombopoietin (TPO) levels were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. C-reactive protein (CRP) was measured using a turbidometric immunoassay.
Result:
SGA infants had a significantly smaller birth weight than AGA controls, with a smaller gestation age by 1 week. There were significant elevations in IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), CRP and TPO in the SGA compared with the AGA group, which persisted in multiple regression analysis even after gestational age was taken into account.
Conclusion:
As hypothesized, significant increases in the cord blood concentrations of known inflammatory markers were found in SGA infants compared with the controls.
