ABSTRACT
Objective: The aim of this study was to determine cervicovaginal fluid IL-6 levels and its predictive value for women with preterm delivery.
Methods: One hundred and eleven pregnant women included in the study. Cervicovaginal secretions for each woman were obtained with a sterile Dacron swab for IL-6 detection. IL-6 was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method.
Results: Mean cervicovaginal fluid IL-6 levels were found to be significantly higher in preterm delivery group (5,84±2,09 pg/ml) than in term delivery group (2,24±0,77 pg/ml)(p = 0.001). Positive correlations were found between IL-6 and the absence of intra-amniotic infection, preterm birth and the history of previous preterm birth.
Conclusion: A strong association was found between increased cervicovaginal fluid IL-6 levels and preterm delivery and measurement of cervicovaginal fluid IL-6 level during pregnancy can be used as a predictive biomarker for detection of preterm birth and high-risk women.
Key words: IL-6; premature birth; cytokines
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