Markers Of Risk For Pre-Term Delivery

The aim of this study is to identify early predictive markers for preterm labor. In our population we considered two groups of pregnant women with gestation between 24 and 34 weeks: one at risk for pre-term labour and one symptom-free. The data were collected by: the measurement of vaginal pH; a sample for cervical fFn, two samples for the dosage of IL-6 and TNF alpha in the cervical fluids and a venous blood sample for the dosage of IL-6, TNF alpha and ferritin concentration. In our study the presence of vaginal pH>4.5, of cervical IL-6 increase and fFn test positivity seems to be predictive of subsequent pre-term delivery. While serum IL-6, serum and cervical TNF alpha and serum ferritin cannot be considered useful markers.