ObjectiveA prospective study to investigate the pattern of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine responses in neonates with surgical necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and identify those cytokines being the most promising for future research.MethodsA panel of 11 different cytokines were measured in 9 infants with proven NEC and compared with 18 age-matched healthy neonates.ResultsThe serum concentrations of the interleukins (IL)-6, IL-8, and IL-10 were significantly (32–fold to 56-fold) higher in NEC infants compared with controls. In contrast, IL-5, IFN gamma, IL-4 and IL-2 showed slightly (1.4-fold to 5.9-fold) lower levels in the NEC samples. However, these cytokines showed a very low absolute concentration in infants with NEC and in controls. The sum of the serum concentrations of IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 was able to clearly separate infants with NEC from control samples. IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha showed no statistically different levels. The serum levels of TNF-beta and IL-12p70 were below the detection limit in more than 50% of all samples per group.ConclusionIn spite of strong local inflammation only three out of eleven cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10) showed strongly increased serum levels indicating an important role of them in the pathogenesis of NEC. At least two of these three cytokines were elevated in every single NEC patient. Thus, longitudinal monitoring of combined IL-8, IL-6, and IL-10 levels could reveal their potency in being clinical relevant markers in NEC.

These data indicate that vaccination with autologous tumor-pulsed DCs generated from peripheral blood is safe and can induce tumor-specific cellular cytotoxicity. Clinical responses are achievable, even in patients with advanced disease.

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Ultrasound facilitates venous puncture of the GSV in the vast majority of infants ≤ 12 months. Direct visualization via ultrasound is a promising technique for the establishment of venous access in the GSV at the level of the medial malleolus in infants.

Background: Anaesthesia management for hypertrophic pylorus stenosis is usually performed