Correlation between serum cytokines and clinical feature of children with mild lower respiratory infection

PURPOSE: Acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI), which is frequently encountered in pediatric patients, is the leading cause of hospitalization. We aimed to identify particular cytokines that correlated with ALRI clinical characteristics. We also aimed to identify any differences in cytokines between respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-related ALRI and non-RSV-related ALRI. METHODS: Cytokine levels were measured in the sera sampled from 103 pediatric patients diagnosed with ALRI and admitted to Seoul St. Mary's Hospital between May 2012 and April 2013. The correlations between cytokine levels and the length of hospitalization, the number of days with fever, body temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate, oxygen saturation upon admission, and duration of oxygen supplementation were analyzed. RESULTS: In children with ALRI, the level of interleukin (IL)-6, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), and IL-10 were correlated with a higher body temperature on admission. In addition, the IL-8 level was correlated with pulse rate and respiration rate, and IL-1β level was related with oxygen saturation on admission. In children with RSV-related ALRI, the IL-6 was correlated the with duration of fever, and the IL-1β, IL-2, and IL-8 levels were related to pulse rate and respiration rate. In addition, the increase in interferon-gamma-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) level was correlated with a higher body temperature on admission and a longer duration of hospitalization in children with RSV-related ALRI. CONCLUSION: In children with ALRI, the levels of IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β, G-CSF, and IP-10 were correlated with its clinical features. In children with RSV-related ALRI, the IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, and IP-10 level was correlated with the severity of the disease.

Impact of Postnatal Acidosis on Short Term Outcomes in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of postnatal acidosis on the short-term clinical outcomes or neonatal mortality in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 157 VLBW infants. The study population was divided into three categories: two acidosis groups and one control group, based on blood pH, base excess, and partial pressure of carbon dioxide. The primary outcome variables were massive pulmonary hemorrhage (MPH), apnea, and early death. The secondary outcomes were intraventricular hemorrhage (grade III-IV), necrotizing enterocolitis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity, and death before 36 weeks' postmenstrual age. RESULTS: After adjustment for birth weight, gestational age and Apgar score, compared to the control group (n=97), MPH and early death were more common in acidosis 1 (n=21) and acidosis 2 (n=39) groups, respectively. There were no differences between the acidosis groups and the control group with respect to other important neonatal outcomes. CONCLUSION: Postnatal acidosis was related to an increased risk of MPH and early neonatal mortality in VLBW infants.