Tumour Necrosis Factor Alpha and Interleukin-6 as Predictors for Preterm Labour.

¹Samia F Abdel Hakim, ¹Nadia MY Gazer and ²Sohair M Abdel Halim.

Departments of ¹Obstetrics & Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine for Girls, Al-Azhar University and ²Clinical pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University.

Cervicovaginal tumour necrosis factor-µ (TNF-µ) & interleukin-6 (IL-6) were assessed in 20 pregnant women with threatened preterm labour (TPL) (Group II) and 20 with normal pregnancy (Group I). Cases with TPL were subjected to tocolysis and observed for tocolytic response. TNF-µ & IL-6 levels were significantly higher in the 2nd group with TPL compared to group one at different gestational ages. Also, TNF-µ & IL-6 showed a significantly higher level in cases with TPL and failed tocolysis compared to those with TPL and successful tocolysis. Thus the assay of these cytokines may help to identify women at risk for preterm labour and can improve the selection of women who may benefit from tocolysis. However, further study is needed on a large series of cases to confirm our findings.