Adhesion of leukocytes to vascular endothelium is an early step in theevent leading to cellular extravasation and development of an inflammatoryresponse. A number of molecules; including E-Selectin and ICAM-1 thatmediates leukocytic endothelial adhesion have been identified.Several studies have suggested that adhesion molecules could be useful inthe early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. The present study was performed tofind out whether shedding of E-Selectin and ICAM-1 is an establishedcomponent of the immune system and response to infection at birth. The aimof the study was to assess and compare soluble E-Selectin and ICAM-1levels in the sera of 60 neonates (30 preterm, 30 full term) with clinicallyproven sepsis and 20 healthy neonates by ELIZA technique.