Increase of interleukin-6 in tracheal aspirate at birth: A predictor of subsequent bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants

Aim: We tested whether interleukin-6 ( IL-6) in tracheal aspirate ( TA) at birth, as a marker of fetal pulmonary inflammation, can be a predictor of bronchopulmonary dysplasia ( BPD) in preterm infants. Methods: A total of 75 preterm ( <= 32 wk) infants who were intubated in the delivery room were prospectively enrolled. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was done to determine whether IL-6 in TA at birth is an independent risk factor for BPD, and a receiver-operating characteristic curve was constructed to determine the accuracy of IL-6 in TA for predicting the risk of BPD. Results: IL-6 in TA at birth was an independent risk factor for BPD. Fetal pulmonary inflammation defined as IL-6 in TA at birth >= 316 pg/ml together with patent ductus arteriosus ( PDA) additively predicted the risk of BPD. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of fetal pulmonary inflammation for the identification of BPD were 73%, 71%, 58% and 83%, respectively. Conclusion: IL-6 in TA at birth can be used as a predictor of BPD in combination with the presence of PDA.