ABSTRACT
This study was conducted in order to evaluate the serum level of IL- Ira in the blood of high risk neonates [with PROM >24 h.] as a predictor of sepsis before the clinical diagnosis. The study included 29 term neonates [15 males and 14 females, their mean value of gestational ages was 37.65 +/- 1.1 weeks and the birth weight was 2.9 +/- 0.5 kg]. They were subjected to full history, clinical examination and laboratory investigations including complete blood count [CBC], C-reactive protein [CRP], blood culture and quantitative determination of serum IL-Ira levels by ELISA technique. Three consecutive samples were taken from each neonate: The first sample [A] was obtained immediately after delivery, the second sample [B] after 48 hours and the third [C] after 96 hours. The studied neonates were divided into two groups: Group I [septic group] included 15 neonates with proven sepsis and group II [healthy non-septic control group] included 14 neonates. Data suggested that the assessment of IL-Ira may be used as an early diagnostic tool in neonates with a suspicion of sepsis