Zinc and IL-6: Biomarkers of Neonatal Sepsis Risk and Immune Response in Newborns

Neonatal sepsis is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in newborns, particularly in developing countries. Zinc levels are involved in the outcome of sepsis, as they influence the function of the immune system and cytokine activity such as Interleukin-6 (IL-6). Data regarding the association between zinc and neonatal sepsis remain limited.

This observational, analytical, cross-sectional study investigated the correlation between zinc and IL-6 in neonates with neonatal sepsis. Participants were divided into a control group and a sepsis-risk group. Serum samples were analyzed for zinc by titration and for IL-6 by enzyme immunoassay.

A total of 69 neonates were recruited and were divided into a control group of 34 neonates and a group at risk of sepsis of 35 neonates. Zinc levels in the sepsis-risk group were significantly lower than in the control group (57.34 ± 8.89 µg/dL vs. 80.47 ± 13.80 µg/dL, p<0.001). There was no significant difference in IL-6 levels between the two groups. A significant negative correlation was observed between serum zinc levels and the risk of sepsis (correlation coefficient = -0.548, P < 0.05).

This study demonstrates that lower serum zinc levels are associated with a higher prevalence of sepsis risk in neonates, suggesting that susceptibility to sepsis in the early neonatal period may be associated with zinc status. The absence of a significant difference in IL-6 levels between groups may have been influenced by the timing of sample collection, as subjects were identified based on sepsis risk factors rather than confirmed infection.

Neonates at risk for sepsis had lower serum levels of zinc but not the level of IL-6 when compared with healthy neonates. These study findings support a relationship between the neonate's zinc status and its early immune status. Further research is required to establish its effectiveness in a clinical setting.