Serum concentration of granulocyte colony stimulating factor in term and preterm infants

We measured serum granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF) concentration and absolute neutrophil count in four groups of infants: (1) 15 healthy term newborn infants; (2) 21 healthy preterm newborn infants, with mean (SD) birth weight 1583 (533) g, and gestational age 32.0 (3.8) weeks; (3) 5 infected newborn infants; (4) 22 6-month-old control infants. Median (range) serum GCSF concentration was 132.2 (41.5-176.0) pg/ml in term infants, 51.5 (1.8-175.7) pg/ml in preterm infants and 138.9 (54.1-449.8) pg/ml in 6-month-old control infants, with a significant reduction in preterm infants, as compared to term and control infants. GCSF levels were significantly higher in the infected infants, as compared to healthy neonates. Conclusion: A significant positive relationship was found in term and preterm infants between serum GCSF concentration and gestational age or birth weight. No -relationship was found between serum GCSF concentration and neutrophil count. The low GCSF baseline levels may contribute to the increased incidence and severity of infection in preterm infants.