Investigation of serum levels of C-reactive protein, Interleukin-8, and Interleukin-10 in neonates with Sepsis in Iraqi Hospitals

Background: Neonatal sepsis refers to infections caused by bacterial, fungal, viral, or protozoan agents that enter the bloodstream of newborns after birth. Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the levels of CRP, IL-8, and IL-10 in neonates with sepsis and healthy neonates, as well as to determine how demographic variables affected these levels. Also to investigate whether these biomarkers could be used as reliable indicators for the early detection of neonatal sepsis. Methods A case-control study was conducted at the Children’s Welfare Teaching Hospital in Baghdad from September 2023 to March 2024, involving 137 neonates with sepsis (case group) and 50 healthy neonates (control group). Demographic data were collected via questionnaires .IL-8, IL-10, and CRP tests were performed on all neonates. Results: Of the patients, 67 (48.91%) were male and 70 (51.09%) were female, with a mean age of 17.47 ± 1.14 days and a mean weight of 2.48 ± 0.07 kg. Among these patients, 42.86% were preterm and 57.14% were full term. In addition, 23.88% were delivered via normal vaginal delivery (NVD), while 76.12% were delivered by cesarean section (CS). CRP was measured before and after treatment in 70 septic newborns. Initially, 21 had positive CRP results and 49 were negative. After 72 hours of treatment, 19 were positive and 51 were negative, the p-value for CRP was P ≤ 0.01. The median concentration of IL-10 was significantly elevated in septic newborns compared to non-septic neonates P≤0.05 , and we found its level correlated with the postnatal age of the neonate P≤0.05, the median concentration of IL-8 was slightly decreased in patient than in control and this result was non-significant. Conclusion: The study found that the median concentration of IL-10 was significantly higher in septic neonates compared to non-septic ones, and its level was associated with the postnatal age of the newborn. In contrast, the median concentration of IL-8 was statistically non-significant. Additionally, the CRP test showed a significant correlation with the disease. CRP levels can serve as a guide to improve clinical outcomes and reduce the unnecessary use of antibiotics.