Introduction: Sepsis is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the newborn, particularly in preterm, low birth weight infants. Despite advances in neonatal care, infections remain common and sometimes life-threatening in neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Interleukin-6 belongs to the family of cytokines. It is one of the mediators of inflammation that are released early in the course of septic shock and is crucial in initiating the immune response.Objective: The purpose of study was to evaluate the role of serum interleukin-6 as an early diagnostic marker in early and late onset neonatal sepsis. Subjects and methods: This is a cross sectional study conducted on 88 neonates with suspicion of infection. Newborns were classified as a confirmed, probable or no infection, based on the results of cultures, chest X-rays, laboratory data and clinical signs. Grouping was done prior to measuring levels of interleukin-6.Results: The proven sepsis group contained 23 neonates, the probable sepsis 33 neonates and not infected 32 neonates.Interleukin-6 was found to be statistically higher in the sepsis groups (proven and probable sepsis) than the non infected group. Conclusion: Interleukin-6 proved to be of benefit in discriminating infected neonates from non infected ones.