Inflammatory cytokines in newborn infants

SERUM levels of IL-1 beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha were measured in 48 healthy, termed neonates on the Ist (N1), 5th (N5) and 40th (N40) day after birth, compared with those in maternal serum CMS), umbilical cord (UC) and adult controls. Cytokine values in NI and N5 were significantly elevated, than those in UC and in controls (P<0.0001). IL-1 beta and IL-6 declined significantly from NI to N40 (P<0.0001), while TNF-alpha increased significantly from N1 to N5 and declined thereafter. MS infinity IL-1 beta and IL-6, but not MS infinity TNF-alpha, mere significantly higher than those of controls (P<0.0001). IL-1 beta values depended on the mode of delivery. In conclusion, the increased concentrations of IL-1 beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha during the perinatal period might suggest their involvement in an inflammation-like process during normal parturition, and reflect also a newborn immune response to the stress of delivery and environmental changes.