Maternal serum concentrations of s-Endoglin and IL-6 in pregnancy complicated by preterm premature membrane rupture.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate maternal serum concentrations of s-Endoglin and compare s-Endoglin with other inflammatory markers in prediction of time to delivery, in pregnancies complicated by preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty five patients complicated by PPROM whose gestational age were between 2433 weeks and 44 matched healthy pregnant women were included in present study. Maternal concentrations of s-Endoglin concentrations were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and compared with maternal inflammatory markers including interleukin-6 (IL-6), white blood cell (WBC) count and serum C-reactive protein (CRP). The best variable for prediction of preterm birth was computed.

RESULTS: Mean s-Endoglin levels in PPROM were lower than control groups (0.24 ± 0.12 pg/ml and 0.69 ± 0.25 pg/ml, respectively, p < 0.01). Besides IL-6 (p < 0.01), WBC (p = 0.016) and CRP (p = 0.010) levels were higher in PPROM group. In PPROM group, ROC analysis results of s-Endoglin for prediction of preterm delivery <48 h, <7 days, <32 weeks were not different (p > 0.05). For predicting preterm birth before 48 h and 7 days, only IL-6 at cut off value >0.70 (pg/ml) and >0.55 (pg/ml) had area under curve (AUC); 0.871 (0.7750.965), p < 0.01, AUC; 0.925 (0.8560.993), p < 0.001, respectively.

CONCLUSION: s-Endoglin as an anti-angiogenic marker seemed to have a role in pathogenesis but results of present study showed that, unlike IL-6, it was unsatisfactory for estimating time to delivery in PPROM.