Maternal serum interleukin 6 levels and fetomaternal outcomes in women with preterm premature rupture of membranes in Lagos, South-western Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: This study was done to assess the relationship between maternal serum IL-6 levels and fetomaternal outcome following PPROM.

METHODOLOGY: This was a prospective cohort study comprising 45 cases of PPROM and 45 controls of similar age, parity, and gestational age. Five milliliters of maternal serum was collected after obtaining informed consent. They were followed up till delivery and records of the delivery and neonatal outcomes were obtained. Serum IL-6 levels were determined by standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. PPROM patients were categorized into two groups using a threshold of 14 pg/ml. Chi-square (χ2) test was used to compare categorical outcomes. p values of < 0.05 were taken as significant.

RESULTS: The mean serum IL-6 level for the women with PPROM was (20.2 ± 11.0 pg/ml), which was significantly greater than for the control subjects (13.9 ± 5.8 pg/ml, p < 0.001). Fetomaternal outcomes were all worse in those with IL-6 ≥ 14 pg/ml. Nevertheless, only the difference in early neonatal deaths was statistically significant.

CONCLUSION: Measurement of maternal serum IL-6 can help to indicate hostile intrauterine environments to the fetus as well as identify patients who may benefit from pregnancy prolongation or intervention.