Amniotic fluid interleukin-6 and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin for predicting fetal inflammatory response syndrome based on histological chorioamnionitis and funisitis

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to analyze the predictive efficacy of amniotic fluid interleukin-6 (IL-6) and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) for fetal inflammatory response syndrome (FIRS)-related infection. Materials and methods: We included singleton pregnancies classified into FIRS and non-FIRS groups. FIRS was defined as histologic chorioamnionitis and funisitis. Amniotic fluid samples were collected during vaginal delivery (VD) or cesarean section (CS). We compared amniotic fluid IL-6 and NGAL levels between the groups. Results: Forty-six pregnancies were analyzed and classified into 20 (43.5%) FIRS and 26 (56.5%) non-FIRS pregnancies. We observed significant differences in amniotic fluid IL-6 and NGAL. Amniotic fluid collection significantly influenced NGAL levels (p < 0.001). The area under the concentration–time curve (AUC), with optimal cutoff values, for amniotic fluid IL-6 and NGAL (VD and CS) levels was 0.948 (11,344 pg/mL), 0.800 (1180 ng/mL), and 0.946 (708 ng/mL), respectively. Conclusion: Amniotic fluid IL-6 and NGAL levels showed equivalent predictive ability for FIRS-related infection.

Keywords

• Amniotic fluid
• Fetal inflammatory response syndrome
• Interleukin-6
• Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin