PLASMA GRANULOCYTE-COLONY-STIMULATING FACTOR CONCENTRATIONS ([G-CSF])IN THE EARLY NEONATAL-PERIOD

We studied G-CSF concentrations ([G-CSF]) at birth and their relations hip with neutrophil count, incidence of infection, gestational age, la bour, and the presence of maternal pregnancy-induced hypertension. Pla sma [G-CSF] were significantly elevated in babies with suspected infec tion and in those of hypertensive mothers, compared to healthy babies delivered by elective caesarian section (median [range] = 3101 [75 --> 5000] pg/ml and 153 [45-857] pg/ml versus 32 [11-266] pg/ml; P < 0.00 01); and were unrelated to neutrophil count and gestational age. Initi al high concentrations (> 100 pg/ml) declined by 7 d (P < 0.0001).