Umbilical Cord Blood IL-6 and PCT in Neonates with Maternal Chorioamnionitis

Abstract

Objective To investigate umbilical cord blood interleukin-6 (IL-6) and procalcitonin (PCT) expression in newborns exposed to maternal chorioamnionitis. Study Design A prospective study was conducted on 43 mother-newborn dyads. Umbilical cord blood samples were collected, and IL-6 and PCT levels were measured. Statistical analysis included comparison of biomarker levels between newborns born to mothers with ( n = 20) or without maternal chorioamnionitis ( n = 23) (Wilcoxon rank-sum test) and correlation with Neonatal Early-onset Sepsis (EOS) Calculator scores (Spearman’s correlation). Results Umbilical cord blood IL-6 and PCT levels were elevated in newborns born to mothers with chorioamnionitis compared with controls ( p < .001). Both biomarkers were correlated with the Neonatal EOS Calculator score (IL-6: rho = 0.80, p < .001; PCT: rho = 0.53, p < .001). Conclusion IL-6 and PCT are elevated in the cord blood of newborns born to mothers with chorioamnionitis, suggesting their potential utility for molecular assessment of the Neonatal EOS Calculator score.