Interleukin-8 compared to fetal fibronectin for prediction of preterm labor in women with twin pregnancy: a prospective cross sectional study

ABSTRACT

To investigate the value of measuring IL-8 compared to Fetal Fibronectin [FFN] for predicting preterm labor in twin pregnancy. Prospective controlled trial. Thirty twin pregnant women between 28-34 weeks gestation not in labor were compared to thirty twin pregnancy women having preterm labor. Cervicovaginal fluid was collected from all cases for detection of Fetal fibronectin and Interleukin-8. IL-8 level at a cut off value of 1500pg/ml had a sensitivity 93.3%, a specificity 96.7%, a positive predictive value 96.6% and a negative predictive value 93.3%. These Figures were better than FFN level which had a sensitivity 90.0%, a specificity 86.7%, a positive predictive value 87.1% and a negative predictive value 89.7% in diagnosis of patients with premature labor. In twin pregnancies a biochemical markers such as fetal fibronectin and interleukin-8 could be considered a useful tool in clinical practice for early identification of women at risk of preterm labor