Elevated IL-18levels are found in inflammatory disease, including rheumatoid arthritis,neonatal infections, and sepsis.(51-53) Studies ofadult populations have shown that elevated concentrations of IL-18 areassociated with poor prognosis in septic patients.(53) Although IL-18 is a potential diagnostic andrisk stratification biomarker, very few studies of its use as such a marker havebeen published, especially in the pediatric population, and further studies mustbe conducted in this area. The gene discussed is IL18; the disease is rheumatoid arthritis.