Time course of serum cytokine level changes within 72 h after onset in children with acute encephalopathy and febrile seizures

Background Cytokine levels have been measured in acute encephalopathy (AE) to determine its pathology or as a diagnostic biomarker to distinguish it from febrile seizures (FS); however, the dynamics of cytokine level changes have not yet been fully captured in these two neurological manifestations. Thus, we aimed to explore the time course of serum cytokine level changes within 72 h after onset in AE and FS. Methods We retrospectively measured cytokine level in residual serum samples at multiple timepoints in seven children whose final diagnoses were AE or FS. Results The levels of 13 cytokines appeared to increase immediately after onset and peaked within 12–24 h after onset: interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4 IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, eotaxin, fibroblast growth factor, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, interferon gamma, interferon-inducible protein-10, and macrophage chemoattractant protein-1. There were no dynamic changes in the levels of three cytokines (IL-1 receptor agonist, macrophage inflammatory protein-1α, and platelet-derived growth factor-bb) 72 h after onset. Levels of some cytokines decreased to around control levels within 48 h after onset: IL-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-17, fibroblast growth factor, and interferon gamma. The levels of most cytokines appeared to be higher in AE, especially in hemorrhagic shock encephalopathy syndrome, than in FS. Conclusions Cytokine levels in both AE and FS change dynamically, such as the levels of several cytokines increased within a few hours after onset and decreased at 12–24 h after onset. Therefore, it will be desirable to make clinical decisions regarding the administration of anti-inflammatory therapy in 24 h after onset in AE.