VALUE OF MATERNAL SERUM INTERLEUKIN-6 LEVEL AS A PREDICTOR FOR PRETERM LABOR

Abstract

A pretenn birth is one of the major health hazards of human biengs. Preterm birth is the greatest cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality; furthermore, the sequlae of an untimely birth, for those infants who survive, often causes lifelong disabilities.

To suffer the agony of life long mental and physical impairment is surely one of the greatest tragedies that can face a person, his or her family, society, and even the economies of the world (Cunninglram,et a/1993).

Although pretenn delivery is the leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide, the diagnosis and appropriate treatment of pretenn labor remains an unresolved clinical problem,(Van den Berg and Oechsli 1984). A growing body of evidence supports the view that pretenn labor is a syndrome, (defined by the presence of increased uterine contractility and cervical dilatation) with multiple causes,(Romero eta/, 1990, 1993, and Arias et a/1993).

Intrauterine infection is a significant cause of preterm labor and delivery (McGregor et a/1986, and Greig et a/1993).

Bacterial invasion of the decidua, fetal membranes, and amniotic cavity evokes a significant immune response involving the production of specific protein messengers by the immune system called cytokines (Gravett et a/1994).