To explore whether or not the umbilical blood levels of cytokines can be used to indicate the adverse outcomes of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) patients. Umbilical artery blood and peripheral venous blood samples were collected on the 1st, 3rd and 7th days after birth to detect the levels of IL-1β, IL-8 and TNF-α. Neurological examination and Denver developmental screening test (DDST-II) were performed at the 6 and 12 months evaluations to detect any neurodevelopmental abnormalities. The results showed: (i) the serum concentrations of IL-1β, IL-8 and TNF-α in umbilical and peripheral blood were significantly higher in HIE patients than control groups; (ii) the umbilical blood concentrations of IL-1β exhibited the best positive correlation with HIE grades, when compared with IL-8 and TNF-α; and (iii) abnormal neurological outcomes at 6 and 12 months of age were best predicted by umbilical levels of IL-1β. Thus, umbilical concentrations of IL-1β were associated with the grades and adverse outcomes of HIE. © The Author [2009]. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.