NICU admission hypothermia, chorioamnionitis, and cytokines.

Objective: To determine whether neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission hypothermia is associated with an intrauterine inflammatory response.

Methods: We analyzed a cohort of 309 very low birthweight infants to determine relationships between admission hypothermia, chorioamnionitis, and serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α.

Results: Admission hypothermia <36°C occurred in 72% of patients <26 weeks and 44% of patients ≥26 weeks gestational age.