ABSTRACT
To evaluate the amniotic fluid levels of interleukin-6 [IL-6] in pregnant women and its potential role in the management of preterm labor. Cross sectional observational study. The Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital during the period from 1st of January 1997 to 30th of June 1997. 80 pregnant women in the third trimester were included in the study. Women included were divided into 4 groups, each consisting of 20 women: [i] group 1: women with term pregnancy not in labor, [ii] group 2: women with term pregnancy in labor, [iii] group 3: women with preterm labor and failed tocolysis, [iv] group 4: women with preterm labor and successful tocolysis. Amniotic fluid samples from these women were obtained and assessed for IL-6 level using an enzyme linked immunoassay. Mean amniotic fluid IL-6 levels were higher in preterm than term pregnancy [259.3 and 205.02 pg/ml respectively]. Mean amniotic IL-6 levels were also higher in women with preterm labor with failed tocolysis than in women with preterm labor with successful tocolysis. The cut off level for IL-6 amniotic fluid level at 159.93 pg/ml showed a sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 85%, positive predictive value of 86.75 and negative predictive value of 100% for the prediction of labor. Amniotic fluid IL-6 level can be a useful marker for labor and may be used as a prognostic factor in the management of preterm labor predicting the response to tocolysis