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Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Generation of the Early-Gestational Maternal Immune Activation Mouse Model to Assess Prenatal Inflammation on Neurodevelopment
Published on: March 24, 2026
Association between fetal interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene polymorphism and unexplained fetal death
Stefan Gerber1, Santosh Vardhana, Kathleen Meagher-Villemure
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Pathology, Lausanne, Switzerland. Stefan.Gerber@chuv.hospvd.ch
Objective:
In spite of extensive clinical examinations or autopsies, as many as 15% to 40% of stillbirths remain unexplained. A systemic fetal inflammatory response is an independent risk factor for severe neonatal morbidity, mediated by proinflammatory cytokines. As a major anti-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) plays a crucial role modulating the proinflammatory response. The gene coding for IL-1ra (IL1RN) is polymorphic. We hypothesized that fetal possession of a specific allele, IL-1RN*2, associated with increased proinflammatory responses, may increase susceptibility to intrauterine fetal death.
Study Design:
Fetal kidney cells were obtained from paraffin blocks of 27 unexplained stillbirths. DNA was isolated and tested for IL-1RN genotypes by polymerase chain reaction. As a control group, DNA from 302 live births was also tested.
Results:
There was an enhanced rate of IL-1RN*2 homozygocity, 41%, among unexplained stillbirths compared with the control group, 8.6% (P < .001). Histologic analysis of fetal tissues demonstrated a predominant proinflammatory response in IL-1RN*2 homozygote fetuses. Extensive screening (microbiology, maternal serology, placenta histology) did not identify any specific trigger agent.
Conclusion:
There is an association between unexplained stillbirth and fetal homozygous IL1RN*2 carriage.
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