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The relationship between cervical dilatation, interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 during term labor
G Hebisch1, A A Grauaug, P M Neumaier-Wagner
1Clinic and Outpatients' Clinic of Obstetrics, University Hospital, Frauenklinikstrasse 10, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland. gundula.hebisch@fhk.usz.ch
Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica
|September 5, 2001
Summary
Interleukin-6 and interleukin-8 levels increase with cervical dilatation during term labor. These cytokines may serve as markers for active labor when physical examination is not feasible.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Immunology
Background:
- Investigating inflammatory markers in labor is crucial for understanding physiological processes.
- Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Interleukin-8 (IL-8) are key inflammatory cytokines with roles in parturition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify IL-6 and IL-8 levels in amniotic fluid, retroplacental blood, and maternal serum.
- To correlate these cytokine levels with cervical dilatation during term labor.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 78 healthy women undergoing term cesarean section, categorized by labor status (control, latent, established, advanced).
- IL-6 and IL-8 measured via ELISA; placental and amniotic fluid samples analyzed histopathologically and microbiologically.
- Statistical analysis included Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests, with power and regression analyses.
Main Results:
- IL-6 and IL-8 levels significantly increased with cervical dilatation across all measured compartments (p<0.05 to p<0.0001) compared to controls.
- Significant differences observed between latent and advanced labor groups, but not between established and advanced labor groups.
- Intrauterine infection was ruled out clinically and via laboratory analyses.
Conclusions:
- In term labor without intra-amniotic infection, IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations rise significantly with cervical dilatation.
- These cytokines show potential as biomarkers for assessing active labor progression, particularly when vaginal examinations are impractical.
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