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Inflammatory Cytokines Associated With Perinatal Brain Injury

Completed
Conditions
Infant, Low Birth Weight
Infant, Small for Gestational Age
Infant, Premature
Infant, Newborn
Cerebral Palsy
Registration Number
NCT01035697
Lead Sponsor
NICHD Neonatal Research Network
Brief Summary

This observational study assessed whether measurements of certain pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the blood (either singly or in combination) at birth and/or up to day of life 21 can predict cerebral palsy at 18-22 months corrected age.

Detailed Description

Inflammatory cytokines \[interleukin-1 (IL-1β), IL-8, IL-9, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and RANTES\] but not anti-inflammatory cytokines released during the perinatal period have been associated with the development of periventricular leukomalacia (PVL) and cerebral palsy (CP) in near term and term infants. However, because blood samples were obtained on any day between day 1 and 18, these data cannot distinguish between prenatal and postnatal effects on neurological outcome. Furthermore, very low birth weight infants who are at the highest risk have not been studies.

The goal of this study was to measure pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels at various times in the perinatal period (at birth up to day of life 21), since they may be elevated at different points in the disease process. Blood samples (whole blood spots, dried on filter paper) were obtained on day 1 within 4 hours after birth, and on days 3, 7, 14, and 21. Neurodevelopmental assessments were conducted at 18-22 months corrected age.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
1067
Inclusion Criteria
  • Infants 401-1,000 grams at birth
Exclusion Criteria
  • >72 hours of age

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Pro-cytokines increased and anti-inflammatory cytokines decreasedAt birth and/or up to Day 3±1
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Type and severity of CP and other neurodevelopmental handicaps, the appearance of PVL, and neonatal mortality18-22 months corrected age
Abnormal pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines at birth are associated with prenatal insults (e.g., chorioamnionitis, occult intrauterine infection, early-onset neonatal sepsis, perinatal asphyxia, early death)At birth
Abnormal postnatal cytokine levels associated with postnatal insults (e.g., postnatal intraventricular hemorrhage, late-onset neonatal sepsis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, chronic lung disease, and/or necrotizing enterocolitis)Up to Day of life 21
Pro-inflammatory cytokine elevations at the time of a workup for possible sepsis occur in infants with a positive bacterial blood culture and those with negative blood cultures who are treated with a full course of antibioticsUp to Day of life 21

Trial Locations

Locations (18)

University of Alabama

🇺🇸

Birmingham, Alabama, United States

Stanford University

🇺🇸

Palo Alto, California, United States

University of California at San Diego

🇺🇸

San Diego, California, United States

Yale University

🇺🇸

New Haven, Connecticut, United States

University of Miami

🇺🇸

Miami, Florida, United States

Emory University

🇺🇸

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Indiana University

🇺🇸

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

Wayne State University

🇺🇸

Detroit, Michigan, United States

University of New Mexico

🇺🇸

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

Wake Forest University

🇺🇸

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

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University of Alabama
🇺🇸Birmingham, Alabama, United States

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