serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukins in children with congenital heart disease

background:  levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines in blood have a positive relationship with congenital heart disease (chd). we sought to assess the difference in serum cytokines levels between children with and without chd.  methods:  we recruited 60 patients with chd and 30 healthy children, from 2013 to 2014. patients with primary pulmonary hypertension; metabolic diseases; renal, endocrine, and chronic inflammatory diseases; fever; infection in the preceding 3 weeks; and malnutrition were excluded. participants’ demographic data were measured, and their cardiac diseases were diagnosed via echocardiography. serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (tnf)-α, interleukin (il)-6, and il-18 were measured via elisa. results:  mean age of the participants was 4.28 ± 3.44, 3.12 ± 3.87 , and 3.30 ± 3.61 years in the cyanotic, acyanotic, and control groups, respectively (p value = 0.414). mean values of tnf-α (p value < 0.001), il-6 (p value < 0.001), il-18 (p value = 0.030), right ventricular pressure (p value < 0.001), and pulmonary pressure (p value = 0.015) were higher in the case group, while the bmi was higher in the controls (p value < 0.001). mean values of tnf-α (p value < 0.001), il-6 (p value < 0.001), and right ventricular pressure (p value < 0.001) were significantly higher in the cyanotic children, whereas the bmi was higher in the controls (p value < 0.001). levels of tnf-α and il-6 had significant correlations with right ventricular pressure.    conclusion: the present study showed a differed serum cytokines levels between children with and without chd.