Distinguishing neonatal sepsis from mild respiratory disease in the newborn infants by measuring interleukin- [IL-6] and C-reactive protein [CRP]

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to investigate if the early samples of IL-6 could distinguish the early bacterial sepsis from respiratory diseases in the newborn. IL-6 and C-reactive protein [CRP] was measured at the onset of symptoms in newborns evaluated for sepsis during the first week of life. Five groups of children were investigated including proven sepsis, clinical sepsis, respiratory distress syndrome [RDS], transient tachypnea of the newborn [TTN] and control. IL-6 was analyzed when CRP was at its maximum level. The results showed that initial IL-6 distinguished proven and clinical sepsis from TTN, but not from RDS. It was concluded that early IL-6 makes it possible to avoid antibiotics in infants with TTN and contributes to the diagnosis of sepsis faster than CRP