Dynamic variation of serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

Objective:To investigate the change of serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor α(TNF α) and interleukin 6(IL 6) in neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy(HIE) and its clinical significance.Methods:Serum concentrations of TNF α and IL 6 were detected by ELISA in 37 neonates with HIE and 12 healthy neonates.Results:Serum concentrations of TNF α and IL 6 were higher in acute stage of HIE than those in convalescent stage and controls( P 0.05 0.01 ).In recovery period,TNF α level in all degrees and IL 6 level in mild and moderate degrees of HIE returned to normal,while IL 6 concentration in patients with severe HIE was superior to that in control neonates.Conclusion:TNF α and IL 6 might play an important role in the pathogenesis of neonatal HIE.To observe dynamically the change of serum levels of TNF α and IL 6 could be helpful in the judgement of brain damage and prognosis.