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Am J Perinatol 2012; 29(09): 731-740
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1316443
Original Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Cytokines and Posthemorrhagic Ventricular Dilation in Premature Infants

Namasivayam Ambalavanan
1   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
,
Waldemar A. Carlo
1   Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
,
Scott A. McDonald
2   RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
,
Abhik Das
2   RTI International, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
,
Diana E. Schendel
3   Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
,
Poul Thorsen
4   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lillebaelt Hospital, Kolding, Denmark
,
David M. Hougaard
5   Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
,
Kristin Skogstrand
5   Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
,
Rosemary D. Higgins
6   NICHD Neonatal Research Network, Bethesda, Maryland
,
for the Cytokine and Generic Database Subcommittees of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health Human Development Neonatal Research Network › Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

15 December 2011

13 March 2012

Publication Date:
06 July 2012 (online)

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Abstract

Objective To determine in extremely low-birth-weight infants if elevated blood interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and transforming growth factor-β are associated with need for shunt following severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) or with ventricular dilation following milder grades/no IVH.

Study Design Whole blood cytokines were measured on postnatal days 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21. Maximum IVH grade in the first 28 days, and shunt surgery or ventricular dilation on subsequent ultrasound (28 days' to 36 weeks' postmenstrual age) were determined.

Results Of 902 infants in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network Cytokine study who survived to 36 weeks or discharge, 3.1% had shunts. Of the 12% of infants with severe (grade III to IV) IVH, 26% had a shunt associated with elevated TNF-α. None of the infants without IVH (69%) or with grade I (12%) or II (7%) IVH received shunts, but 8.4% developed ventricular dilation, associated with lower IFN-γ and higher IL-18.

Conclusion Statistically significant but clinically nondiscriminatory alterations in blood cytokines were noted in infants with severe IVH who received shunts and in those without severe IVH who developed ventricular dilation. Blood cytokines are likely associated with brain injury but may not be clinically useful as biomarkers for white matter damage.

Keywords

infant - premature - cytokines - hydrocephalus - intraventricular hemorrhage - intracranial hemorrhage
 

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