Cord blood levels of IL-6 in Neonates with Perinatal Complication

Kim, Jae Il; Kang, Chang Rang; Oh, Yeon Kyun

Abstract

PURPOSE: IL-6 is one of the cytokines which is important mediators of host response to stress and infection. But, little is known about the activities of IL-6 in neonates with complicated course. So, We measured Il-6 levels in cord blood serum and which were compared neonates with perinatal complication with healthy neonats. METHOD: In a prospective study, level of IL-6 were measured in cord blood serum from 29 neonates (38.8+/-2.66wks, 3075.52+/-669.37gm) by specific immunoassay (Quantikine Human IL-6 immunoassay, RandD systems Inc., D6050), who delivered in Wonkwang University Hospital from May 1995 to July 1995. Statistical significance was analyzed with Mann-Whitney U test. RESULT: 1) IL-6 serum level in cord blood did not differ in neonates born by varying type of delivery. 2) IL-6 serum levels in cord blood were not related to perinatal complications. 3) IL-6 serum levels in cord blood were significantly higher in the neonates with infectious complication(128.0+/-29.74pg/ml) than non-infecatious complication(54.63+/-11.63pg/ml, p<0.05) and in healthy neonates (49.46+/-20.89pg/ml, p<0.02)
CONCLUSION
Levels of IL-6 in cord blood serum were elevated in neonates with infectious complication. So, prospective measurement of IL-6 in cord blood may be useful in infection of perinatal period.