Serum concentration of granulocyte colony stimulating factor in term and preterm infants

We measured serum granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF) concentration and absolute neutrophil count in four groups of infants: (1) 15 healthy term newborn infants; (2) 21 healthy preterm newborn infants, with mean (SD) birth weight 1583 (533) g, and gestational age 32.0 (3.8) weeks; (3) 5 infected newborn infants; (4) 22 6-month-old control infants. Median (range) serum GCSF concentration was 132.2 (41.5-176.0) pg/ml in term infants, 51.5 (1.8-175.7) pg/ml in preterm infants and 138.9 (54.1-449.8) pg/ml in 6-month-old control infants, with a significant reduction in preterm infants, as compared to term and control infants. GCSF levels were significantly higher in the infected infants, as compared to healthy neonates.

A significant positive relationship was found in term and preterm infants between serum GCSF concentration and gestational age or birth weight. No relationship was found between serum GCSF concentration and neutrophil count. The low GCSF baseline levels may contribute to the increased incidence and severity of infection in preterm infants.