Fig. 5.

PGE₂ in CSF is correlated to apnea index in neonates. CSF was collected from infants in the neonatal intensive care unit who had clinical indications for lumbar puncture (n = 12, mean postnatal age 16 ± 4 d; mean gestational age 32 ± 2 week). Infants then underwent a cardiorespiratory recording (duration 9.2 ± 2.4 h). PGE₂ concentrations in the CSF were analyzed using a standardized enzyme immunoassay (EIA) protocol and correlated to the infectious marker CRP and apnea index (number of apneas per h). Central PGE₂ concentrations were positively correlated to the CRP levels in blood (P = 0.01). Moreover, a striking association was observed between central PGE₂ concentrations and apnea index (P < 0.05). Here, we distinguish between undetectable levels of PGE₂ (0 ± 0 pg/ml) compared with high levels of PGE₂ (52 ± 22 pg/ml). Data are presented as mean ± SEM.