Interleukin-6 Gene Polymorphism and its Relation to Spontaneous Preterm Labor

Abstract

Summary T his study was done to establish the relationship between IL-6 promoter -174 polymorphism and spontaneous preterm birth more than 28 weeks and less than 37 weeks among Egyptian women. The study was conducted at the Maternity Hospital of Ain-Shams University. Patients were recruited from the Casualty Unit.The study started on Mid of October 2013 till April 2014. The population of this study comprised women presenting to the labor ward and outpatient clinic of the Maternity Hospital of Ain-Shams University. 156 pregnant women were selected. The idea of the study was explained to the women who were included as a study group and their informed consent was obtained before inclusion in this study. The patients were divided into two groups 3- First group: (Cases) • 78 pregnant women more than 28 weeks gestation and less than 37 weeks. • With evidence of preterm labor confirmed by regular uterine contractionswhich increase in power frequency and duration (three or more uterine contractions within 10 minutes) confirmed by CTG and cervical changes (cervical dilation >3cm). 4- Second group: (Control) • 78 pregnant women at term without a history of preterm labor pains. Maternal peripheral blood samples (For PCR) were taken from pregnant women. We found that the G/G variant was foundin the cases by a percentage 7.7% and in cases with percentage of 1.3% so the G/G variant carries a possible risk factor for spontaneous preterm labor. The G/C variant was found in cases in a percentage of 25.6%and in control the G/C variant was found by percentage of 12.8% .So the G/C variant carries a possible moderate risk factor for spontaneous preterm labor. While the C/C variant was found in both the cases and control, in cases it’s found in a percentage of 66.7% of cases and in control the C/C variant was found by percentage of 85.9% of the control.So the C/C variant is the protective gene variant of IL-6 for spontaneous preterm labor. So there is a possible risk of spontaneous preterm labor with the G/G and G/C variant in the -174 position on the IL-6 gene.So this study gives a prediction about one of the risk factors or spontaneous preterm labor.