Blood protein profiles of infants born before 28 weeks differ by pregnancy complication.

Objective: Disorders that lead to preterm delivery influence the fetal inflammatory response.

Study Design: We calculated odds ratios of elevated concentrations of 25 blood proteins on the first postnatal day in 798 infants born before the 28th week and classified by the pregnancy disorder that lead to preterm delivery.

Results: Concentrations of cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα), cytokine receptors (IL-6R, TNF-R1, TNF-R2), systemic inflammatory proteins (CRP, SAA, MPO), chemokines (IL-8, MCP-1, MCP-4, MIP-1β, RANTES, I-TAC), adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, ICAM-3, VCAM-1, E-selectin), and metalloproteinases (MMP-1, MMP-9) were elevated in children delivered after preterm labor, membrane rupture, abruption, and cervical insufficiency, whereas such a pattern was not seen after preeclampsia or fetal indication/growth restriction. Inflammatory profiles were also associated with maternal vaginitis.

Conclusion: The patterns of blood proteins in the newborn support the division of pregnancy disorders that lead to preterm delivery into those associated, and those not associated, with inflammation.