[Chorioamnionitis and early-onset neonatal sepsis do not significantly affect levels of interleukin-6 in very low birth weight neonates].

OBJECTIVE

To determine the influence of maternal chorioamnionitis and neonatal sepsis on interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in cord blood and in blood obtained from very low birth weight (VLBW) infants within the first two hours of life.

DESIGN

Prospective clinical study.

SETTING

Institute for the Care of Mother and Child, Prague.

METHODS

We measured the serum levels of IL-6 in 30 consecutive VLBW infants born in our institute. IL-6 levels were evaluated in cord blood and in neonatal blood within 2 hours after delivery. Maternal chorioamnionitis and neonatal sepsis within the first 72 hours of life were monitored.

RESULTS

Maternal chorioamnionitis was detected in 7 of 30 patients (23.3%). There was no significant increase in IL-6 level in cord blood of newborns with maternal chorioamnionitis (p = 0.42). Serum level of IL-6 in this group did not differ from the level in newborns of mothers without signs of intraamniotic infection (p = 0.39). Neonatal early-onset sepsis was diagnosed in 7 of 30 patients (23.3%). There was no influence of neonatal sepsis on IL-6 level in cord blood (p = 0.98) and IL-6 level in neonatal blood (p = 0.19). We did not find any correlation between the group "chorioamnionitis positive" and "sepsis positive" (p = 0.31).

CONCLUSION

IL-6 in cord blood or in neonatal blood within 2 hours of life was not enough sensitive and specific marker of maternal chorioamnionitis as well as for early-onset neonatal sepsis in the group of very low birth weight infants.