ABSTRACT
The development of respiratory distress syndrome [RDS] is closely related to fetal immaturity, although the participation of inflammatory mechanisms also seems to be likely. In this study, we investigated the possible role of IL-10 and IL-12 in preterm newborns with RDS, a disease that is also related to gestational age. the cord blood levels of IL-10 and IL-12 were assessed in 60 preterm infants, 30 of them developed RDS and they were taken as cases, and the other 30 were not distressed and used as a control group. The results showed that IL-10 was higher and IL-12 was lower in preterm infants with RDS than those without RDS. IL-10 manifested negative correlation with gestational age and birth weight, while IL-12 manifested no correlation with gestational age or birth weight. There was no correlation between IL-10 and IL-12 either in cases or controls. Five cases died from RDS, these cases had significant higher IL-10 levels and lower IL-12 levels than presenting twins. We concluded from these findings that IL-12 and IL-10 can be used as indicators for the risk of developing RDS in the born preterm. IL-10 and IL-12 levels in cord blood most probably indicate functional immaturity of the preterm