Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate whether concentrations of chemokines in the umbilical cord blood of neonates are affected by delivery via cesarean section.
Study design: Umbilical cord blood was obtained from 116 singleton late-preterm and full-term neonates without infections, born to healthy pregnant women. Concentrations of chemokines - MIP-1α (CCL3), MIP-1β 1 (CCL4), RANTES (CCL5), GRO-α (CXCL1) and ENA-78 (CXCL5) - were measured by ELISA. Logistic regression was used to investigate regression relationships between the occurrence of neonatal chemokines concentrations in umbilical cord blood and mode and time of delivery.
Results: Concentrations of CXC chemokines in late-preterm neonates were the same as those in term neonates. RANTES concentrations in late-preterm cord blood were significantly lower than concentrations in term cord blood. Concentrations of the CC chemokine - RANTES (CCL5) - were noted to be lower in neonates born to cesarean section than in neonates born vaginally. Any anesthetic taken by the mothers during cesarean section did not affect CC chemokine production in the cord blood of full-term neonates. In a logistic regression model including gestational age as a variable, late-preterm delivery was associated with RANTES concentrations (OR = 3.8). After adjustment for variable mode of delivery in regression model, RANTES concentration (OR = 4.75).
Conclusion: Both late-preterm and cesarean delivery are essential risk factors of low RANTES (CCL5) concentrations in the umbilical cord blood.