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To determine serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in asphyxiated neonates and compare these inflammatory factors with those found in neonates with perinatal infection.88 neonates were studied, of whom 36 were asphyxiated, 18 were infected and the remaining 34 were controls. Peripheral blood samples were obtained on the 1st, 3rd and 5th postnatal days.Cytokines IL-6 and IL-1beta as well as sICAM-1 serum levels did not differ between asphyxiated and infected neonates; however, at most time periods, their values were significantly higher than controls. TNF-alpha was similar in the three groups of neonates. CRP serum values were significantly higher in the infected neonates than in the asphyxiated or control subjects. Among the 54 asphyxiated and infected neonates, 15 were considered as severe cases and 39 as mild. The severe cases, at most time periods, had significantly higher IL-6, IL-1beta and sICAM-1 levels compared with the mild ones. Through receiver operating characteristic curves the cut-off points, sensitivities, and specificities for distinguishing neonates at risk or at high risk for brain damage were established.Similar increases in serum levels of IL-6, IL-1beta and sICAM-1 were found in perinatally asphyxiated and infected neonates. As these increases correlated with the severity of the perinatal insults, neonates at high risk for brain damage might be detected.

Introduction: Poisonings in childhood are a usual cause of children's admission to a pediatric ward. The most usual toxic exposures and ingestions occur at home and involve drugs, cigarettes and nondrug products such as chemical substances, plants and hydrocarbons. Aim: of the study is to make an epidemiological recording of the poisoning incidents in a distict hospital's pediatric clinic during the period 2008- 2009. Material-Methids: 96 children were admitted in a two years' period and were studied according to age, sex, nationality and the ingested substance. Results: 96/1228 (7,8%) children with a mean age 3,3y admitted because of a drug-substance poisoning. 80/96(83,3%) were greek, 13/96(13,5%) were roma and only 3/96(3,2%) were foreigners. The male children were significantly more (58/96(60,4%)) than the females (38/96(39,6%)). The majority of the incidents happened during fall (37/96(38,5%)) and spring (34/96(35,4%)). Fewer happened during summer (14,6%) and winter (11,4%). 67/96 (69,8%) were infants (1,0-3,0) y, 22/96(22,9%) were 3,1-6,0 y and 7(7,3%)were > 6 y. 19/96(19,8%) with a mean age 1,5 years old, ingested cigarettes and 48/96(50%) ingested drugs (3 of them attempted to suicide). The rest 29 cases involved non drug products (alcohol:5, hydrocarbons:8, cleaning substances: 9, plants:4, cosmetics:3) None of these cases had adverse reactions. Conclusion: Unintetional poisonings are common in children younger than 6 years of age, happen mostly at home and involve mostly cigarette and drug ingestion. Pediatricians must be aware and have to educate the parents in order the chidren to live in a safer environment.