Levels of interleukin-6 in second-trimester amniotic fluid are not predictive of adverse neonatal outcome.

Abstract

Objective : Elevation of interleukin (IL)-6 in the amniotic fluid (AF) during the second trimester is associated with increased risk of preterm delivery. AF IL-6 levels of > 2950 pg/ml within 72 h of delivery are predictive of neonatal brain white-matter lesions, such as periventricular leukomalacia (PVL). The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the presence of elevated AF IL-6 during the early second trimester was associated with the occurrence of relevant neonatal morbidity including PVL or perinatal mortality. Methods : We performed a historical cohort study of women who underwent mid-trimester amniocentesis and had known AF IL-6 levels and pregnancy outcome information available. Included were singleton gestations, without fetal structural or chromosomal anomalies. Results : Among the 50 woman-neonate pairs included in the study, six had AF IL-6 levels above 2950 pg/ml. Occurrence of neonatal complications requiring admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (14% vs. 33%, p = 0.1) and p...