The effects of ibuprofen on sepsis parameters in preterm neonates

Abstract

AimTo examine the effects of ibuprofen used for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) treatment on the production of the proinflammatory cytokines C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in preterm septic newborns. MethodsPatients with acute phase reactant elevation were divided into two groups according to receiving ibuprofen (Group I, n=51) or not (Group II, n=38). Course of sepsis was evaluated by CRP and IL-6 levels. ResultsCRP and IL-6 levels at the time of diagnosis were not different between two groups [16±9.1 vs 16.4±13.2mg/dL (p=0.43) for CRP and 124±82 vs 119±73mg/dL (p=0.517) for IL-6, respectively]. Similarly, they were statistically insignificant between the groups at the 2nd or 3rd days of ibuprofen treatment [14.3±7.7 vs 13.7±5.9mg/dL (p=0.21) for CRP and 83±46 vs 86±37mg/dL (p=0.29) for IL-6, respectively]. However, CRP and IL6 levels showed significant difference between groups in the following days; 6.03±3.8 vs 9.1±4.9mg/dL (p=0.025) for CRP and 42±33.1 vs 58.9±27.1mg/dL (0.011) for IL-6 on 4th or 5th days of treatment and 2.3±3.2 vs 4.1±2.3mg/dL (p=0.032) for CRP and 16.1±12.4 vs 21.3±16.8mg/dL (p=0.016) for IL-6, on 7th to 10th days of treatment, respectively. ConclusionsIL-6 and CRP may decrease in infants receiving ibuprofen treatment more than infants who do not receive it. This decrease should be considered at the time of caring a preterm infant with both sepsis and PDA after ibuprofen treatment.