Changes of levels of endothelin and epidermal growth factor in neonates with pneumonia

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the pathogenic effects and clinical significance of endothelin(ET) and epidermal growth factor(EGF) levels in neonates with pneumonia. Methods The levels of plasma ET and urine EGF were determined by radioimmunoassay in 38 and 26 neonates with pneumonia respectively.Results The levels of plasma ET and urine EGF were significantly higher in the acute stage of pneumonia neonates group than those in the control group ( P <0.01). The levels of ET and EGF were significantly higher in 8 severe cases in acute stage than those in convalescent stage ( P <0.01).The changes of plasma ET were compatible with that of urine EGF in the disease process,and there was a positive correlation between them. Conclusions The results suggested that ET and EGF might have a stimulating effect on the pathogenic course of neonatal pneumonia, and the detection of ET and EGF might be considered as an estimative reference to the prognosis of neonatal pneumonia.