RESUMO
Background: Levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines in blood have a positive relationship with congenital heart disease [CHD]. We sought to assess the difference in serum cytokines levels between children with and without CHD
Methods: We recruited 60 patients with CHD and 30 healthy children, from 2013 to 2014. Patients with primary pulmonary hypertension; metabolic diseases; renal, endocrine, and chronic inflammatory diseases; fever; infection in the preceding 3 weeks; and malnutrition were excluded. Participants' demographic data were measured, and their cardiac diseases were diagnosed via echocardiography. Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha, interleukin [IL]-6, andIL-18 were measured via ELISA
Results: Mean age of the participants was 4.28 +/- 3.44, 3.12 +/- 3.87, and 3.30 +/- 3.61 years in the cyanotic, acyanotic, and control groups, respectively [p value = 0.414]. Mean values of TNF-alpha [p value < 0.001], IL-6 [p value < 0.001], IL-18 [p value = 0.030], right ventricular pressure [p value < 0.001], and pulmonary pressure [p value = 0.015] were higher in the case group, while the BMI was higher in the controls [p value < 0.001]. Mean values of TNF-alpha [p value < 0.001], IL-6 [p value < 0.001], and right ventricular pressure [p value < 0.001] were significantly higher in the cyanotic children, whereas the BMI was higher in the controls [p value < 0.001]. Levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 had significant correlations with right ventricular pressure
Conclusion: The present study showed a differed serum cytokines levels between children with and without CHD