Background: Interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 are mediators of inflammatory process with high diagnostic value in early-onset neonatal sepsis. Their role in localized infection is much less known. Therefore the aim of our study was to investigate the reliability of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 in distinguishing between infectious and non-infectious respiratory disorders in neonates.Material/Methods: The prospective study was conducted in 76 newborns. In 49 of them clinical signs of respiratory distress were present at birth, and 27 served as control group.Results: Mean value ±SEM of interleukin-6 in newborns with pneumonia was 43.11±10.37 pg/ml and in non-infected 10.48±1.53 pg/ml; p=0.000. For interleukin-8 mean value ±SEM in newborns with pneumonia was 346.75±36.84 pg/ml, andin non-infected 46.56±6.55 pg/ml; p=0.011. Comparing separately the groups of neonates with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), transient tachypnoe of the newborn (TTN) and healthy ones with newborns with pneumonia we found out statistically significant differences in mean values of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 but no other markers. There were no statistically significant differences in none of the parameters between the groups of neonates with RDS, TTN or healthy ones. Sensitivity and specificity for interleukin-6 level ?15.4pg/mL were 88.9% and 93.0% respectively, and area under the curve (AUC) 0.92 and for interleukin-8 level ?44pg/mL were 83.3%, 70.2%, 0.83. respectively. Diagnostic value of interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 was better than other routinely used markers of infection.Conclusions: Interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 are good diagnostic markers of early-onset neonatal pneumonia. Their sensitivity and interleukin’s-6 specificity exceed routinely used indices. They distinguish well between children with intrauterine pneumonia and respiratory disorders of non-infectious origin.

Keywords: intrauterine pneumonia, respiratory disorders, Interleukin-6, Interleukin-8