Circulating Pro- and Counterinflammatory Cytokine Levels and Severity in Necrotizing Enterocolitis

• Mary B. Edelson

  From the Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, and the

• Charles E. Bagwell

  Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical College of Virginia of Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia.

• Henry J. Rozycki

  From the Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, and the

Abstract

To evaluate the relationship between the severity of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and circulating concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-8 and counterinflammatory cytokines IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) and IL-10. These cytokines have been associated with bowel injury or inflammation and may be released more slowly or later than previously examined cytokines. Also, to determine if any one of these cytokines will predict the eventual severity of NEC when measured at symptom onset. Serial blood samples at onset, 8, 24, 48, and 72 hours were obtained from newborn infants with predefined signs and symptoms of NEC. Normal levels were defined from weight-, gestation-, and age-matched controls. Concentrations of the four cytokines were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and compared throughout the time period by stage of NEC, using sepsis as a co-factor. Mean concentrations of each cytokine at onset were compared with the controls. Threshold values were obtained with the best combination of high sensitivity and high specificity for defining stage 1 NEC or for diagnosing stage 3 NEC at onset. There were 12 cases of stage 1, 18 cases of stage 2, and 6 cases of stage 3 NEC included in the study, as well as 20 control infants. Concentrations of IL-8 and IL-10 were significantly higher in infants with stage 3 NEC from onset through 24 hours compared with infants with less severe NEC. At onset, concentrations of all four cytokines were significantly higher in stage 3 NEC. To identify, at onset, the infants with a final diagnosis of stage 3 NEC, an IL-1ra concentration of >130 000 pg/mL had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 92%. At 8 hours, an IL-10 concentration of >250 pg/mL had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 90% in identifying stage 3 NEC in infants with symptoms suggestive of NEC at onset. The severity of NEC and its systemic signs and symptoms are not due to a deficiency of counterregulatory cytokines. In fact, mean concentrations of IL-1ra in NEC are higher than what has been reported in other populations. The cytokines IL-8, IL-1ra, and IL-10 are released later or more slowly after a stimulus and may be more useful in identifying, within hours of symptom onset, which infant will develop significant NEC.

Journal

• Pediatrics

  Pediatrics 103 (4), 766-771, 1999-04-01

  American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)

Keywords

• Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health

Details

• CRID: 1363388843287794432
• NII Article ID: 30012914116
• DOI: 10.1542/peds.103.4.766
• ISSN: 10984275
• ISSN: 00314005
• Web Site: https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-pdf/103/4/766/841251/766.pdf
• Data Source:
  • Crossref
  • CiNii Articles