Biomarkers for the prediction of preterm delivery

Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2005 Jun;84(6):516-25. doi: 10.1111/j.0001-6349.2005.00771.x.

Abstract

This structured review discusses the current literature on selected biomarkers and their ability to predict preterm delivery (PTD). Among symptomatic women, the likelihood ratio (LR+) for the prediction of PTD was found to be greater than 10 using amniotic fluid (AF) interleukin-6 (IL-6), AF Ureaplasma urealyticum, as well as a multi-marker consisting of cervical IL-6, cervical IL-8, and cervical length (CL). The LR+ was found to be between 5 and 10 for serum C-reactive protein (CRP). An LR+ between 2.5 and 5 was recorded for serum corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), cervical fetal fibronectin (fFN), cervical IL-6, serum relaxin, and a multi-marker consisting of fFN and CL. CL and bacterial vaginosis (BV) both predicted PTD in women with preterm labor with an LR+ of less than 2.5. In asymptomatic women, AF U. urealyticum and a multimarker consisting of five individual markers [fFN, CL, serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), serum alkaline phosphatase, and serum granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)] predicted PTD with an LR+ greater than 10. The LR+ was between 5 and 10 for serum relaxin and CL. LRs+ recorded for serum alkaline phosphatase, salivary estriol, serum CRH, serum G-CSF, cervical IL-6, AF IL-6, cervical fFN, AFP, and Chlamydia all ranged between 2.5 and 5. Finally, an LR+ below 2.5 has been documented for serum ferritin, serum CRP, BV, and cervical ferritin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amniotic Fluid / metabolism
  • Biomarkers
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Cervix Uteri / metabolism
  • Cervix Uteri / pathology
  • Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / blood
  • Female
  • Fibronectins / blood
  • Glycoproteins / blood
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Obstetric Labor, Premature / blood
  • Obstetric Labor, Premature / diagnosis*
  • Obstetric Labor, Premature / metabolism
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Diagnosis / methods
  • Vaginosis, Bacterial

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • FFN protein, human
  • Fibronectins
  • Glycoproteins
  • Interleukin-6
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone