Maternal serum interleukin 1, 2, 6, 8 and interleukin-2 receptor levels in preterm labor and delivery

Objective: To determine the concentrations of maternal serum interleukins (ns) 1, 2, 6, 8 and IL-2 receptors (IL-2R) in patients in their second and third trimesters of pregnancy and in preterm labor and delivery without evidence of chorioamnionitis. Study design: The study was conducted in La Pat Maternal Hospital, Madrid. Maternal serum IL concentrations were measured in 103 gravidas during preterm labor and delivery. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for analysis. Results: Women in preterm labor and delivery had significantly higher median IL-2R concentration. Women who responded to tocolysis had significantly lower serum concentrations of IL-6. IL-2R and IL-6 serum concentrations predict delivery in 48 h and before 34 weeks gestation. Conclusions: Compared with non-laboring gravidas, those in idiopathic preterm labor or delivery had significantly higher concentrations of maternal serum IL-2R. Both IL-6 and IL-2R may predict failure of tocolysis. IL-2 does not seem to play an important role in pregnancy. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.