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Published on: November 20, 2015
Early Neonatal C-Reactive Protein Levels and Periventricular Leukomalacia
Mor Cohen-Eilig1,2, Noa Bar Lis3, Ayelet Livneh4,2
1Department of Pediatrics, Shamir Medical Center (Assaf Harofeh), Zerifin, Israel.
Background:
Cystic periventricular leukomalacia (cPVL) is a strong indicator of subsequent motor and developmental impairments in premature infants. There is a paucity of publications on biomarkers of cPVL.
Objectives:
To determine C-reactive protein (CRP) levels during the first week of life of preterm infants who later developed cPVL and to identify the association between CRP levels with perinatal factors.
Methods:
We retrospectively included infants ≤ 32 weeks gestation and/or birth weights ≤ 1500 grams; 17 with a cranial ultrasound diagnosis of cPVL and 54 with normal ultrasounds. Serum CRP levels were measured during days 1-7 (CRP1-7d) of life and subdivided into two timing groups: days 1-3 (CRP1-3d) and days 4-7 (CRP4-7d).
Results:
The cPVL group had significantly higher mean CRP4-7d levels compared to controls (12.75 ± 21.2 vs. 2.23 ± 3.1, respectively, P = 0.03), while CRP1-3d levels were similar. CRP1-7d levels were significantly correlated with maximal fraction of inspired oxygen during the first 12 hours of life (FiO2-12h, r = 0.51, P < 0.001]. Additional risk factors were not associated with CRP levels.
Conclusions:
Our finding of elevated CRP4-7d levels and later development of cPVL supports earlier studies on the involvement of inflammation in the pathogenesis of cPVL. Whether CRP could serve as a biomarker of cPVL and its correlation with outcomes, awaits further trials. Furthermore, the correlation between FiO2-12h and CRP1-7d levels suggest that hypoxia and/or hyperoxia may serve as a trigger in the activation of inflammation during the first days of life of preterm infants.
