Abstract 127

Background: It has been suggested that systemic inflammation may cause or promote brain injury in preterm infants.

Aims: To relate evidence of fetoplacental inflammation to magnetic resonance (MR) images obtained very soon after birth.

Methods: 40 infants (median 27 weeks, range 23-29) were imaged on day 1-2 after birth (median day 1). MR images were analysed for periventricular haemorrhage, cerebral atrophy and white matter lesions. Umbilical cord plasma concentrations of interleukin (IL) 1-b, IL-6, IL-10, and tumour necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), free T3, free T4, cortisol and DHEAS were measured, and CD45RO (a specific marker of fetal T cell activation) expression was determined. Placentas were examined for chorioamnionitis.

Results: Increased IL-1b, IL-6, TNF-a, CD45RO and chrioamnionitis were significantly related to MR abnormalities (p<0.01), unlike IL-10, free T3, free T4, cortisol and DHEAS.

Conclusion: Fetoplacental inflammation is associated with MR imaging abnormalities very soon after birth.