Affiliations: Division of Neonatology, Hospital de São
João, Porto, Portugal | Division of Neonatology, Centro Hospitalar do Porto,
Porto, Portugal | Division of Immunology, Hospital de São
João, Porto, Portugal | Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Faculty of
Medicine of Porto University, Porto, Portugal | Division of Neonatology, Hospital de São
João, and Faculty of Medicine of Porto University, Porto, Portugal
Note: [] Corresponding author: Gustavo Rocha, Serviço de
Neonatologia/Departamento de Pediatria, Hospital de São João,
Piso 2, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4202–451 Porto, Portugal.
Tel.: +351 225512100 extension 1949; Fax: +351 225512273; E-mail:
gusrocha@oninet.pt
Abstract: Introduction: Various cytokines have been associated to the
occurrence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm neonates. AIM: To establish an association between cord blood cytokines and
BPD, so that they could be used, in clinical practice, as early markers of BPD.
Material and methods: Preterms less than 30 weeks gestational age,
were analysed by ELISA microassay for venous cord blood IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8,
TNF-α and IL-10, and compared between the BPD and non-BPD groups. Results: One hundred and fifty neonates completed the study; 31
(21%) small for gestational age (SGA); 16 were deceased before 28 days of life;
36 developed mild BPD and 20 developed moderate/severe BPD. Elevated cord blood
IL-8 was associated with death or moderate/severe BPD. SGA patients with
moderate/severe BPD presented higher cord blood values of IL-8, lower IL-6 and
IL-10 when compared with SGA without moderate/severe BPD; and higher IL-8
levels when compared with patients without moderate/severe BPD. Conclusion: These results support an association between cord blood
IL-8 and moderate/severe BPD, independently of the intra-uterine growth; and
the association of cord blood IL-6 and IL-10 and moderate/severe BPD in SGA
preterm newborns.
Keywords: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia, cytokines, inflammation, small for gestational age, preterm newborn
