Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukins in children with congenital heart disease

Background: levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines in blood have a positive relationship with congenital heart disease (chd). we sought to assess the difference in serum cytokines levels between children with and without chd. methods: we recruited 60 patients with chd and 30 healthy children,from 2013 to 2014. patients with primary pulmonary hypertension; metabolic diseases; renal,endocrine,and chronic inflammatory diseases; fever; infection in the preceding 3 weeks; and malnutrition were excluded. participants’ demographic data were measured,and their cardiac diseases were diagnosed via echocardiography. serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (tnf)-α,interleukin (il)-6,and il-18 were measured via elisa. results: mean age of the participants was 4.28 ± 3.44,3.12 ± 3.87,and 3.30 ± 3.61 years in the cyanotic,acyanotic,and control groups,respectively (p value = 0.414). mean values of tnf-α (p value < 0.001),il-6 (p value < 0.001),il-18 (p value = 0.030),right ventricular pressure (p value < 0.001),and pulmonary pressure (p value = 0.015) were higher in the case group,while the bmi was higher in the controls (p value < 0.001). mean values of tnf-α (p value < 0.001),il-6 (p value < 0.001),and right ventricular pressure (p value < 0.001) were significantly higher in the cyanotic children,whereas the bmi was higher in the controls (p value < 0.001). levels of tnf-α and il-6 had significant correlations with right ventricular pressure. conclusion: the present study showed a differed serum cytokines levels between children with and without chd. © 2017,tehran heart center. all rights reserved.