Background
Despite extensive investigation, no single test meets the criteria that could make it an ideal
marker for early diagnosis of sepsis in the newborn. Generally, screening includes a complete
blood count with differential white blood cell count and may be accompanied by other adjuvant
tests such as evaluation of C-reactive protein.
Objective
The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of cord blood interleukin-6 (IL-6) as an early
predictor of early-onset neonatal sepsis in preterm babies.
Patients and methods
We studied 75 preterm babies with risk factors of early-onset sepsis in Benha University
Hospitals and measured IL-6 in cord blood samples to correlate them with C-reactive protein,
hemoglobin percentage, white blood cells count with immature/total (I/T) ratio, and platelet
count. Patients were classified into three groups according to gestational age and subdivided
according to sepsis state into proven sepsis group (12 cases), probable sepsis group
(48 cases) and noninfected group (15 cases). Samples were taken from the patients early
just after birth in the resuscitation room.
Statistical analysis
The collected data were coded, tabulated and statistically analysed using SPSS (Statistical
Package for Social Sciences), version 18.0. Results were considered significant if P value is
less than 0.05 and highly significant if P value is less than 0.01.
Results
In our study, cord blood IL-6 was significantly higher in the septic group (probable and proven)
with median 371.92 and 124.85 pg/ml, respectively, than in the noninfected group, with median
8.53 pg/ml (P < 0.0001). The best cutoff level for IL-6 to diagnose neonatal sepsis is 47.5 pg/ml,
with sensitivity 98.3% and specificity 93.3%.
Conclusion
Cord blood IL-6 can be used as a predictor of early-onset neonatal sepsis in preterm babies