Acute-phase response- and inflammation-, but not extracellular matrix-related proteins in the amniotic fluid are associated with spontaneous preterm delivery in asymptomatic women with midtrimester short cervix.

ABSTRACT: Background: To determine whether (i) altered levels of acute-phase response (APR)-, inflammation-, and extracellular matrix (ECM)-related proteins in the amniotic fluid (AF) were associated with spontaneous preterm delivery (SPTD) in asymptomatic women with midtrimester short cervix (SCX) and (ii) if SPTD risk severity was related to the expression levels of inflammation-related proteins in the AF. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 70 singleton pregnant women diagnosed with a SCX (<25 mm) at 17-25 weeks, who were subjected to amniocentesis to exclude intraamniotic inflammation (IAI; defined as AF interleukin [IL]-6 ≥ 2.6 ng/mL). APR (i.e., hepcidin, kallistatin, MBL, pentraxin-2, RBP4, and serpin A1), inflammatory (i.e.,</

SUBMITTER: Park KH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12409065 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature