RESUMEN
The present study included 43 newborn infants with clinical signs of neonatal sepsis [29 full-term and 14 pre-term with a ratio of 27/16]and another 19 apparently healthy neonates of matched age and sex were considered as controls [with a ratio of 12/7, 16 full-term and 9 pre- term]. All the studied neonates were clinically assessed. The serum levels of C-reactive protein [CRP], interleukin-6 [IL-6], interleukin-8 [IL-8], nitric oxide [NO], lipid peroxide [LPO], superoxide dismutase enzyme [SOD], blood picture, blood culture and arterial blood gases were all estimated for all the studied neonates on admission and 24 hours post-exchange transfusion [Ex-T] for 27 neonates who showed signs of severe sepsis. It was concluded that neonatal sepsis is a serious event that is associated with an activation of cytokine network and the release of injurious oxidative elements. Exchange transfusion is not sufficient alone to improve the outcome of neonatal sepsis