Dynamics of Interleukin-4 and Interleukin-8 in Young Children with Complicated Pneumonia Secondary to Iron-Deficiency Anemia

The objective of the research was to study serum levels of pro-inflammatory interleukin-8 and anti-inflammatory interleukin-4 in infants with complicated pneumonia depending on concomitant iron-deficiency as well as to establish their diagnostic value. Materials and methods. The levels of interleukin-4 and interleukin-8 were studied in 80 children with complicated pneumonia at the age of 2 months to 3 years, 60 out of them developed the condition secondary to iron-deficiency anemia. Children were divided into two groups: Group I included patients with complicated pneumonia without iron-deficiency anemia; Group II consisted of patients with complicated pneumonia and concomitant iron-deficiency anemia. In addition, depending on the severity of iron-deficiency anemia Group II was divided into three subgroups: IIa, IIb and IIc - a combination of pneumonia with anemia of mild, moderate and severe degrees, respectively. Serum levels of interleukin-4 and interleukin-8 were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay by means of standard kit (Vector-Best, Novosibirsk, Russia). Results.? Elevated levels of pro-inflammatory interleukin-8 and anti-inflammatory interleukin-4 were typical for all young children with acute complicated pneumonia (р< 0.01). At the same time, in patients with complicated pneumonia secondary to iron-deficiency anemia these parameters were significantly higher compared to those in children with complicated pneumonia without iron-deficiency anemia (р< 0.001). In the convalescence period a significant reduction in the levels of interleukin-8 was observed in all groups of children, while the concentration of interleukin-4 increased significantly (р< 0.001). Conclusions. Elevated levels of pro-inflammatory interleukin-8 and anti-inflammatory interleukin-4 were typical for all young children in the acute phase of complicated pneumonia. At the same time, in patients with complicated pneumonia secondary to iron-deficiency anemia these parameters were significantly higher compared to those in children with complicated pneumonia without iron-deficiency anemia (р< 0.001). In the convalescence period a significant reduction in the levels of interleukin-8 was observed in all groups of children (p< 0.01); however, it did not reach the indicators of age norm (p< 0.001), while the concentration of interleukin-4 increased significantly (p< 0.001). In patients with complicated pneumonia secondary to severe iron-deficiency anemia changes in the concentrations of interleukin-8 and interleukin-4 were more significant compared to patients with complicated pneumonia without iron-deficiency anemia.