The stress of birth enhances in vitro spontaneous and IL-8-induced neutrophil chemotaxis in the human newborn.

The birth process induces fetal stress. Stress has profound effects on the immune system, also by acting on the trafficking of leukocytes, a process in which adhesion and chemotaxis are primordial and critical events for the development of effective antimicrobial defenses. The newborn is rapidly challenged by a microflora at the epithelia linings and therefore depending on early, innate immunity onset.

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 and interleukin-6 are markers of fetal stress during parturition at term gestation.

Objective: Maintaining an adequate blood glucose level is essential for neuron integrity. The increased energy demand imposed on the fetus by the birth process in combination with a limited glucose production capacity therefore threatens brain function. It is logical to presume that mechanisms increasing glucose mobilization as well as decreasing peripheral glucose utilization has evolved to preserve brain function, even after complicated deliveries.