Surface Activation Leukocyte Markers and Humoral Factors in Cord Blood of Newborns at Risk of Early Infection

• Main Authors: Pavel Rozsíval, Eva Pařízková, Doris Vokurková, Božena Buriánková, Ctirad Andrýs
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Karolinum Press 2007-01-01
• Series: Acta Medica
• Subjects: Newborns; Early infection; Leukocyte surface markers; Interleukin; Neopterin; Procalcitonin
• Online Access: https://actamedica.lfhk.cuni.cz/50/4/0229/

Due to immaturity of both specific and non-specific immune mechanisms, neonates are at risk of serious infections. The risk group definition is vague, clinical signs are non-specific and common laboratory markers are not as useful as in later ages, especially due to delayed reactions. In an attempt to find early, sensitive and specific markers, we assessed a defined set of surface leukocyte markers and humoral factors in cord blood. Several differences were noted – children in the risk group had a higher proportion of CD19+/23+, CD16+/64+, CD45RO cells and higher levels of IL-6. We find it promising that already at birth there are notable signs of reaction to infection and that a follow-up of a set of infectious markers could be useful to identify the children in need of antibiotic treatment and for diminishing unnecessary treatment.