Abstract
Objective: The aim of this prospective study is to determine the correlation between early suppurative otitis media (ESOM) and cord blood concentrations of retinol, zinc, immunoglobulin G (Ig G) and interferon Gamma (IFN-γ).
Patients and Methods: Cord blood samples were obtained from the umbilical vein after delivery of infants. Serum was extracted and stored at −80°C and analyzed for retinol, zinc, Ig G and interferon Gamma (IFN-γ). These infants were clinically followed for 12–18 months for the development of ESOM. Suppurative OM was defined by the observation of purulent or mucoid otorrhoea at microotoscopy.
Results: The study included 186 term infants, of which 69 (37% had at least one episode of ESOM. Of these infants, 40 were males and 29 were females. The age at development of ESOM was 14 ± 6.2 weeks, with a range between 3 weeks and 8 months. The gestational age at birth was 39 ± 0.2 weeks (range=31–43), and birth weight was 3.1 – 0.45 Kg (range=1.25–4.3). The mean neonatal serum concentrations among the cases and control subjects did not differ for Ig G (1180 mg/ml vs. 1370.2 mg/ml, P=0.46), while they differed for retinol (0.95 μg/L vs. 1.08 μg/, P < 0.01), for zinc (0.88 μ g/L vs. 1.05 μ g/L, P=0.01) and for IFN-γ (45.3 pg/ml vs. l70.2 pg/ml, P < 0.01) respectively.
Conclusion: We conclude that decreased concentrations of immunobiologic factors in cord blood can be a contributing factor to the development of ESOM in infants during the first year of life.
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