Chonnam Med J.  2002 Mar;38(1):1-11.

Amniotic Fluid Inflammatory Cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8) in Premature with Neonatal White Matter Brain Injury and Cerebral Palsy

• Ju HG
• Choi YY
• Cho CY
• Ryu NE
• Song TB
• Kim YH
• Ryu PY

Abstract

Increased level of amniotic fluid inflammatory cytokines in maternal infection during pregnancy may play a role in the pathogenesis of preterm labor (PTL), premature rupture of membranes (PROM), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH)/periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), and cerebral palsy (CP). We compared the amniotic fluid cytokine concentrations (IL-6, IL-8) in PTL, PROM and controls, and also investigated the relationship between inflammatory cytokines and PTL, PROM, chorioamnionitis, neurosonographic abnormalities, and CP. Interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 were determined by enzyme immunoassay in PTL (n=16), PROM (n=31), and controls (n=40). Neurosonographic and neurologic follow-ups were performed in 36 live singleton babies of PTL and PROM mothers. IL-6 and IL-8 levels were higher in PTL and PROM groups than in controls (p<0.01 for both). Within the PTL and PROM groups (n=47), IL-6 and IL-8 levels were significantly higher in cases with chorioamnionitis (n=15) than in cases without chorioamnionitis (n=32) (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively). In 36 babies born to PTL and PROM mothers, IL-6 levels were higher in the cases with abnormal neurosonographic findings (n=16) than in those with normal findings (n=20) (p<0.05), and also higher in cases with CP (n=3) than in cases without CP (n=33) (p<0.05). There was no difference when the same comparisons were made for IL-8 levels. IL-6 was considered a better cytokine than IL-8 in predicting neonatal neurosonographic abnormalities and subsequent CP.

Keyword

Amniotic fluid cytokines; Preterm labor; Premature rupture of membranes; Chorioamnionitis; Cerebral palsy

MeSH Terms

Amniotic Fluid*
Brain Injuries*
Brain*
Cerebral Palsy*
Chorioamnionitis
Cytokines*
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Hemorrhage
Humans
Immunoenzyme Techniques
Interleukin-6
Interleukin-8
Interleukins
Membranes
Mothers
Obstetric Labor, Premature
Pregnancy
Rupture
Cytokines
Interleukin-6
Interleukin-8
Interleukins