Is the ratio of maternal serum to amniotic fluid AFP superior to serum levels as a predictor of pregnancy complications?

Background: Preterm Birth (PTB) is one of the main causes of neonatal death and infant mortality and morbidity. The pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a major proinflammatory mediator of the host response to infection and malondialdehyde (MDA) is a marker of oxidative stress. Objective : To evaluate potential associations between IL-6 and MDA levels in women with preterm birth. Method: A total of 150 women (66 with full-term and 84 with PTB) were enrolled in this case-control study. Predesigned performas were filled through questionnaire interviews to collect data on personal, demographic, occupational, lifestyle and reproductive history. Blood samples were collected within 36 hours of delivery. Serum concentrations of IL-6 and MDA were determined in mothers with full-term and preterm birth. Results: The mean age was marginally higher; whereas BMI was slightly lower in cases (PTB) as compared to controls (full-term) subjects. Serum IL-6 and MDA levels were significantly higher in subjects with PTB than full-term birth. The data were further analyzed with respect to underweight, normal and overweight/obese BMI. In all the BMI categories, the levels of IL-6 and MDA were higher in PTB cases. Among the PTB categories, the levels of IL-6 and MDA were highest in moderate to late preterm birth. A significant positive correlation was found between IL-6 and MDA levels. There was a weak negative correlation between either IL-6 or MDA and the number of gestational weeks. Conclusion : Elevated maternal serum levels of Interleukin-6 and Malondialdehyde in preterm as compared to full-term birth might suggest that inflammation and oxidative stress play a critical role in PTB.

Download Full-text

Maternal Serum Placental Growth Factor, Soluble Fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase-1, and Soluble Endoglin in Twin Gestations and the Risk of Preeclampsia—A Systematic Review

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm9010183 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 183 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Katarzyna Kosinska-Kaczynska ◽

Magdalena Zgliczynska ◽

Szymon Kozlowski ◽

Lukasz Wicherek

Keyword(s):

Growth Factor ◽

Tyrosine Kinase ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Maternal Serum ◽

Placental Growth Factor ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Original Research ◽

Multiple Gestation ◽

Soluble Endoglin ◽

Twin Pregnancies

Multiple gestation is one of the key risk factors for the occurrence of preeclampsia (PE). Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1, placental growth factor, and soluble endoglin are molecules involved in the process of angiogenesis with a proven role in the pathogenesis of PE. The aim of the review was to summarize available data on maternal serum levels of the above-mentioned factors and their usefulness in predicting PE in twin pregnancies. Only original research articles written in English were considered eligible. Reviews, chapters, case studies, conference papers, experts’ opinions, editorials, and letters were excluded from the analysis. No publication date limitations were imposed. The systematic literature search using PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases identified 338 articles, 10 of which were included in the final qualitative analyses. The included studies showed significant differences in maternal serum levels of the discussed factors between women with twin pregnancies with PE and those who did not develop PE, and their promising performance in predicting PE, alone or in combination with other factors. The identification of the most effective algorithms, their prompt introduction to the clinical practice, and further assessment of the real-life performance should become a priority.

Download Full-text