Objective: To determine normal ranges for interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in umbilical cord blood from healthy term neonates at the Mount Hope Women’s Hospital (MHWH), Trinidad.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted on healthy pregnant women admitted to the MHWH during the period October 1 to December 31, 2010. Women who were term with no signs of or risk factors for sepsis were recruited into the study after informed consent was obtained. Data were collected including maternal age, antenatal and perinatal history. Umbilical cord blood samples were collected and analysed for IL-6, TNF-α and CRP. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago.

Results: One hundred and sixty-two samples from healthy term neonates were analysed for IL-6 and TNF-α.  One hundred and thirty-one samples were analysed for CRP due to one faulty kit. There were almost equal numbers of males (55%) and females (45%).  Ninety per cent were > 2500 g at birth and 10% had low birthweight.  Reference ranges of 0–16.4 pg/mL, 0–29.4 pg/mL and 0–12.4 mg/L were found for IL-6, TNF-α and CRP, respectively, with 95% confidence intervals (11.6, 21.5 pg/mL; 24.0, 33.1 and 8.4, 15.1, respectively). 

Conclusion: The normal ranges for IL-6, TNF-α and CRP in umbilical cord blood for healthy term Trinidadian neonates were 0–16.4 pg/mL, 0–29.4 pg/mL and 0–12.4 mg/L, respectively.