[Evaluation of the correlation between IL-1β, IL-8, IFN-γ cytokine concentration in cervico-vaginal fluid and the risk of preterm delivery].

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate IL-1β, II-8, IFN-γ cytokine concentrations in cervico-vaginal fluid in patients with threatening preterm delivery.

Material And Methods: The study group included 84 patients between 27 and 34 weeks of pregnancy admitted with symptoms of threatened preterm delivery. The cervico-vaginal fluid was taken from each patient qualified for the study and IL-1β, II-8, IFN-γ concentration was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The following factors were analyzed: maternal age and parity gestational age at admission for the examination and at delivery, sex of the newborn, Apgar evaluation at 1 and 5 minutes of life, umbilical blood pH, history of miscarriage or preterm delivery pre-pregnancy body mass index, and smoking. Their influence on the concentration of biochemical markers tested in patients at risk of preterm delivery was investigated.

Results: In the study group, patients who delivered preterm had significantly higher concentrations of IL-1β and II-8 as compared to patients who delivered at term. Patients who delivered preterm more often had a history of a miscarriage and their newborns had lower birth weight, lower Apgar score, and lower pH of the umbilical blood.

Conclusion: As far as factors significantly influencing cytokine concentrations are concerned, the level of IL-1β and II-8 concentration is an independent predictor of preterm delivery in patients with threatened preterm labor. In the study group, the IFN-γ concentration did not significantly diversify patients who delivered preterm and at term.