| Objective To study the change of caspase-1 and IL-18 levels as well asrelationship between them in premature infants with brain injury (periventricularleucomalacia, PVL, and germinal matrix hemorrhage or intraventricular hemorrhage,GMH/IVH. High risk factors for PVL were analyzed and pathogenesis wasinvestigated as to provide a sensitive and simple diagnostic method for PVL that makecontribution to prevention and treatment to premature infant brain injury.Methods Blood samples from 13 premature infants with PVL (group A), 17swith GMH/IVH (group B) and 20 normal ones (group C) according to screeningcriteria were collected in the third day after birth. Serum contents of caspase-1 andIL-18 were detected by ELISA and statistically analyzed. 21 high risk factors, such asarterial blood pH 4 hours after birth, PaO2, minimal PaCO2 during 72 hours after birth,PROM (prerupture of membrane) and so on, were analyzed by significance test andLogistic regression between babies with PVL and the normal ones.Results①caspase-1 and IL-18 levels were significantly higher in group Athan in group B and C (p＜0.05). Yet no difference was found between the latter twogroups. Serum caspase-1 content was linear correlated to IL-18 (r=0.89; p=0.0012).②7 high risk factors, including PROM, arterial blood pH 4 hours after birth, PaO2,minimal PaCO2 during 72 hours after birth, periventricular echo-enhancement (PVE)in the first week after birth, first and fifth seconds' scores of Apgar, were significantlydifferent respectively (p＜0.05). Equation for estimated regression model wasLogit(p)=β0+4.179X21(PVE).Conclusion①caspase-1 and IL-18 levels rise in premature infants with PVLand there is linear correlation between them. caspase-1 and IL-18 contents can beused combined as a reliable diagnostic index for PVL.②caspase-1 and IL-18 maytake parts in pathogenesis of PVL.③Infection, acidosis, hypoxaemia, hypocarbiaand PVE are high risk factors for PVL. PVE found in first week after birth may resultin PVL. |
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