The cytokine network in women with an asymptomatic short cervix and the risk of preterm delivery.

ABSTRACT: PROBLEM:To characterize the amniotic fluid (AF) inflammatory-related protein (IRP) network in patients with a sonographic short cervix (SCx) and to determine its relation to early preterm delivery (ePTD). METHOD OF STUDY:A retrospective cohort study included women with a SCx (?25 mm; n=223) who had amniocentesis and were classified according to gestational age (GA) at diagnosis and delivery (ePTD <32 weeks of gestation). RESULTS:(i) In women with a SCx ? 22 1/7 weeks, the concentration of most IRPs increased as the cervix shortened; those with ePTD had a higher rate of increase in MIP-1?, MCP-1, and IL-6 concentrations than those delivering later; and (ii) the concentration of most IRPs and the correlation between several IRP pairs were higher in the ePTD group than for those delivering later. CONCLUSION:Women with a SCx at 16-22 1/7 weeks have a unique AF cytokine network that correlates with cervical length at diagnosis and GA at delivery. This network may aid in predicting ePTD.

SUBMITTER: Tarca AL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5575567 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature