Cytokine and Proteomic Profiles of Amniotic Fluid in Women With Asymptomatic Short Cervix in the Midtrimester

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

1-2013

Abstract

Objective: Cervical shortening in the second trimester has been linked with inflammation and infection in the amniotic fluid (AF). Our goal was to establish cytokine and proteomic profiles in amniotic fluid of women with an asymptomatic short cervix in the midtrimester.

Study Design: During ultrasound at 16-27 weeks, asymptomatic singleton pregnancies with an incidental finding of a transvaginal cervical length <15mm were identified and underwent amniocentesis. Amniotic fluid was analyzed for infectious agents, cytokines, and proteomics by mass spectroscopy. All women were treated with vaginal progesterone from diagnosis until 34 weeks gestation. Pregnancy outcome data was collected and compared with AF findings.

Results: There were 25 women identified with an asymptomatic short cervix and underwent amniocentesis. AF fluid gram stain and cultures were negative for pathogens. Average gestational age (GA) at birth was 30.7 weeks (range 19.3-41.1). Average latency time between amniocentesis and delivery was 62 days (range 3-150). 27 cytokines were tested, and 18 were found in more than 10 samples. Cytokine and proteomic levels did not have statistically significant correlation to GA at or to latency period to delivery.

Conclusion: In women who are incidentally found to have an asymptomatic short cervix in the midtrimester, AF cytokine and proteomic profiles do not correlate to GA at birth or latency to delivery.

Comments

Presented at the 33rd Annual Meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (The Pregnancy Meeting), San Francisco, CA.

© 2013 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

DOI

10.1016/j.ajog.2012.10.237

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