Abstract
Background Histological chorioamnionitis (CHORIO) may increase inflammatory mediators in the
lungs of preterm infants.
Objective To study the impact of CHORIO on tracheal aspirate (TA) cytokines in ventilated infants.
Design/Methods TA samples collected within 48 hours after birth from 40 ventilated neonates (gestational
age [GA] <30 weeks, body weight [BW] <1250 g) were analyzed. Levels of 12 cytokines
(interleukin [IL]-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, epidermal growth factor
[EGF], interferon-γ [IFN-γ], monocyte chemotactic protein-1 [MCP-1], tumor necrosis
factor-α [TNF-α], vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]) were measured using a
biochip multianalyte immunoassay (Randox Laboratories, Antrim, UK). Total protein
was measured by the Bradford assay. CHORIO assessment was done by a blinded pathologist.
Results Twenty-six infants (GA 26.6 ± 1.4 weeks, BW 852 ± 162 g) had no CHORIO and 14 (GA
25.1 ± 1.0 weeks, BW 776 ± 164 g) had CHORIO. IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-8, and VEGF were significantly
higher in TA of infants with CHORIO. After correction for dilution, IL-1α, IL-1β,
and IL-8 were significantly elevated. Increased TA total cell count correlated with
CHORIO, VEGF, EGF, MCP-1, IL-8, and IL-6 TA levels (all p ≤ 0.02). Ventilator, oxygen supplementation, and hospital days correlated with TA
IFN-γ levels (all p ≤ 0.01).
Conclusion CHORIO is associated with increased specific proinflammatory mediators in TA samples
of preterm infants.
Keywords
inflammatory mediators - placenta - neonate - lung
