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Umbilical cord blood interleukin-6 levels and neonatal morbidity
J W Weeks1, L Reynolds, D Taylor
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Louisiana State University Medical Center-Shreveport, 71130-3932, USA. jweeks1@mail.sh.lsumc.edu
Objective:
To study umbilical cord interleukin-6 levels and the occurrence of neonatal sepsis, congenital pneumonia, necrotizing enterocolitis, and grade II-IV intraventricular hemorrhage.
Methods:
Umbilical cord blood was collected from 133 preterm newborns. The study population was divided according to the presence or absence of neonatal complications. Interleukin-6 levels and clinical characteristics were compared by univariate and multivariate analyses.
Results:
Sixteen neonates had adverse outcomes, and 117 were unaffected. The median interleukin-6 level was significantly higher in affected than in unaffected infants (145 pg/mL versus 0 pg/mL, P = .002). Elevated interleukin-6 levels were associated independently with neonatal morbidity in multiple logistic regression modeling that included gestational age, birth weight, and antenatal steroid exposure.
Conclusion:
Umbilical cord blood interleukin-6 levels are elevated in neonates who subsequently develop sepsis, congenital pneumonia, necrotizing enterocolitis, or grade II-IV intraventricular hemorrhage.