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Am J Perinatol 2010; 27(1): 031-036
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1234037
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Second-Trimester Serum Cytokines in Women Who Develop Spontaneous Preterm Labor at Less than 28 Weeks' Gestation versus Term Labor

Qing Yang1 , Yasser El Sayed2 , Gary M. Shaw3 , Joyce Fu2 , James Schilling1 , Ashima Madan1
  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
  • 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California
  • 3March of Dimes, California Research Division, Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, Oakland, California
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Publication History

Publication Date:
30 July 2009 (online)

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ABSTRACT

We sought to determine if there is a relationship between serum concentrations of cytokines and the development of preterm labor. A panel of 28 cytokines was measured using the multiplex assay in serum samples collected between 15 and 18 weeks' gestation from women who developed spontaneous preterm labor and delivered between 24 and 28 weeks' gestation (n = 25) and from women who delivered at term (≥37 weeks; n = 25). Sixteen of the 28 cytokines measured were detected. Except for vascular endothelial growth factor, which showed a trend toward a significant increase in patients who developed preterm labor, there was no difference in cytokine levels between groups in preterm labor and in term labor. Serum cytokine changes in women who develop spontaneous preterm labor possibly occur in the period between 18 weeks' gestation and the onset of labor.

KEYWORDS

Preterm labor - cytokines - multiplex assay - term labor

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Ashima MadanM.D. 

Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine

S 4245A CCSR, 269 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305-5178

Email: ashima@stanford.edu

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