Cytokine levels in amniotic fluid: a marker of preterm labor?

The aim of this study was to determine levels of Interleukin 6 (IL-6) in amniotic fluid at the beginning of the second trimester and to establish whether IL-6 can be used as a marker for premature birth as it would appear to be an important prenatal marker of chorionic inflammation. Thirty-three patients, between 16 and 19 weeks of gestation, who were undergoing amniocentesis to establish the presence or not of fetal genetic pathologies were enrolled into the study. Amniotic fluid (3 ml) was taken from each patient and used to perform enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). The results were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test and Pearson and Spearman coefficient. The patients were divided into three groups on the basis of the levels of IL-6 found: a) up to 450 pg/ml; b) between 450 and 900 pg/ml; c) over 900 pg/ml; These data were then evaluated alongside the date of parturition and the presence of any maternal or fetal pathologies. The results of our analyses, however, were inconclusive: levels of IL-6 were normal in patients presenting pathologies while obstetric pathologies were absent in patients with high levels of IL-6. In conclusion, this data would indicate that a different method or approach is required for the identification of a marker for premature birth.