Related Experiment Videos
Plasma granulocyte-colony stimulating factor concentrations ([G-CSF]) in the early neonatal period
A R Russell1, E G Davies, S McGuigan
1Department of Child Health, St George's Hospital Medical School, London.
Insights
Newborns with suspected infections or whose mothers had pregnancy-induced hypertension showed elevated G-CSF levels at birth. These granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) concentrations decreased within seven days.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal immunology
- Hematology
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) plays a crucial role in neutrophil production and immune response.
- Elevated G-CSF levels in newborns may indicate underlying inflammatory or infectious processes.
- Understanding G-CSF dynamics at birth is vital for neonatal health assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between cord blood G-CSF concentrations and neonatal outcomes.
- To determine if G-CSF levels correlate with infection, neutrophil count, gestational age, labor, or maternal pregnancy-induced hypertension.
- To observe the changes in G-CSF levels during the first week of life.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of plasma G-CSF concentrations in newborns at birth.
- Comparison of G-CSF levels between neonates with suspected infection, neonates of hypertensive mothers, and healthy controls.
- Correlation analysis of G-CSF levels with neutrophil count, gestational age, and labor status.
- Longitudinal measurement of G-CSF levels at 7 days postpartum.
Main Results:
- Significantly elevated plasma G-CSF concentrations were observed in neonates with suspected infection and those born to hypertensive mothers compared to healthy controls.
- G-CSF levels at birth were not correlated with neutrophil count or gestational age.
- Initial high G-CSF concentrations (> 100 pg/ml) showed a significant decline by day 7 postpartum.
Conclusions:
- Cord blood G-CSF levels are elevated in neonates with suspected infection and in infants of mothers with pregnancy-induced hypertension.
- G-CSF concentration at birth is not a reliable indicator of neutrophil count or gestational age.
- G-CSF levels decrease significantly within the first week of life, suggesting a transient role in the immediate perinatal period.
Abstract:
We studied G-CSF concentrations ([G-CSF]) at birth and their relationship with neutrophil count, incidence of infection, gestational age, labour, and the presence of maternal pregnancy-induced hypertension. Plasma [G-CSF] were significantly elevated in babies with suspected infection and in those of hypertensive mothers, compared to healthy babies delivered by elective caesarian section (median [range] = 3101 [75- > 5000] pg/ml and 153 [45-857] pg/ml versus 32 [11-266] pg/ml; P < 0.0001); and were unrelated to neutrophil count and gestational age. Initial high concentrations (> 100 pg/ml) declined by 7 d (P < 0.0001).