Histologic Chorioamnionitis, Amniotic Fluid Interleukin 6, Krebs von den Lungen 6, and Transforming Growth Factor β1 for the Development of Neonatal Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia.

BACKGROUND: Chorioamnionitis (CAM) is an important risk factor for the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of CAM on the development of BPD using interleukin 6 (IL-6), Krebs von den Lungen 6 (KL-6), and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) in the amniotic fluid as markers for inflammation, lung injury, and fibrosis/remodeling, respectively.

METHODS: Amniotic fluid concentrations of IL-6, KL-6, and TGF-β1 were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay.

RESULTS: Of the 36 preterm infants, 18 were exposed to histologically confirmed CAM. Of these, 12 were later diagnosed as having BPD. The IL-6, KL-6, and TGF-β1 levels in the amniotic fluid significantly increased with increasing histologic severity of CAM. Moreover, these markers were higher in the BPD group with histologic CAM than those without.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that CAM is likely to induce inflammatory, injury, and remodeling processes in the fetal lung.