The relationship between cervical dilatation, interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 during term labor.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

To determine interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 levels in amniotic fluid, retroplacental blood and maternal serum and relate these values with cervical dilatation in term labor.

METHODS:

Prospective study. n=78 healthy women undergoing term cesarean section, divided into four groups: controls, n=42, (elective cesarean section; no contractions, membrane rupture or cervical dilatation); latent labor, n=12, (latent phase labor; cervix <2 cm dilated); established labor, n=12, (active labor, cervix 2-5 cm); advanced labor, n=12, (active labor, cervix >5 cm). Interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 were determined by ELISA (pg/ml), placenta and placental bed biopsy examined histopathologically, and amniotic fluid also microbiologically. Results were expressed as median and ranges or mean and standard deviations, as appropriate. For statistical analysis, Mann-Whitney U-tests or Kruskal-Wallis tests were used as applicable (Statview 4.5). Power and linear regression analyses were performed. p<0.05 was considered significant, p<0.001 highly significant.

RESULTS:

Compared with controls, IL-6 and IL-8 increased significantly with cervical dilatation in all compartments tested for almost all labor groups (p<0.05 to p<0.0001). Significant changes were also seen between latent and advanced labor groups in some compartments (p<0.05), but not between established and advanced labor groups. Intrauterine infection was excluded in any of the patients clinically and on histopathological or microbiological analysis of placentae and amniotic fluid.

CONCLUSIONS:

In term labor without intraamniotic infection, interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 at the fetomaternal interface and in maternal serum rise significantly with cervical dilatation. These cytokines could be used as markers of active labor if vaginal examination is not applicable.

• Authors: G Hebisch, A A Grauaug, P M Neumaier-Wagner, T Stallmach, A Huch, R Huch
• Journal: Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica (Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand) Vol. 80 Issue 9 Pg. 840-8 (Sep 2001) ISSN: 0001-6349 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11531636 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Biomarkers
• Interleukin-6
• Interleukin-8

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Amniotic Fluid (chemistry)
• Biomarkers (analysis)
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Female
• Humans
• Interleukin-6 (analysis, blood)
• Interleukin-8 (analysis, blood)
• Labor Stage, First (physiology)
• Labor, Obstetric (physiology)
• Pregnancy
• Prospective Studies