We estimated the levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and neopterin, in serum of twelve nonpregnant (group A) and 28 pregnant women between 28-36 weeks of pregnancy. Group B consisted of eight patients with uncomplicated pregnancy, group C consisted of thirteen pregnant women with clinical signs of preterm labour and without laboratory markers of infection and group D consisted of seven pregnant women with signs of preterm labour and with laboratory markers of infection. The levels of IL-6 and neopterin were significantly higher in group D compared to groups A, B and C (p < 0.05). Similarly, the level of C-reactive protein (CRP) and total white blood cell count (the laboratory markers of infection) were significantly higher in group D than in groups A, B and C. Total white blood cell count was significantly lower in group A than in group B and D (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in values of IL-6, neopterin and CRP between groups A, B and C (p > 0.05). In all groups, significant correlations were found between IL-6 and neopterin as well as total white blood cell count and CRP. Our results suggest that IL-6 and neopterin may be the markers of preterm labour caused by infection. On the other hand, cell-mediated immune response may be involved in the mechanisms of preterm labour.
interleukin-6 neopterin preterm labour infection markers, IL-6 serum preterm labor with and without infection, neopterin C-reactive protein preterm labor biomarkers, cell-mediated immune response preterm labor mechanism, infection-associated preterm labor inflammatory cytokines, Oleszczuk IL-6 neopterin preterm labour, CRP white blood cell count preterm labor infection, preterm birth biomarkers serum interleukin-6 levels, subclinical infection preterm labour immune activation, inflammatory markers 28-36 weeks preterm labor diagnosis
PMID 9243197 9243197 DOI 10.1016/s0301-2115(97)00083-3 10.1016/s0301-2115(97)00083-3
Cite this article
Oleszczuk, J., Wawrzycka, B., & Maj, J. G. (1997). Interleukin-6 and neopterin levels in serum of patients with preterm labour with and without infection. European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology, 74(1), 27-30. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0301-2115(97)00083-3
Oleszczuk J, Wawrzycka B, Maj JG. Interleukin-6 and neopterin levels in serum of patients with preterm labour with and without infection. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 1997;74(1):27-30. doi:10.1016/s0301-2115(97)00083-3
Oleszczuk, Jan, et al. "Interleukin-6 and neopterin levels in serum of patients with preterm labour with and without infection." European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology, vol. 74, no. 1, 1997, pp. 27-30.
Hsu JZ et al., 2025·Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol
Endometriosis is a chronic gynaecological condition affecting reproductive-aged women. It has been associated with infertility and potential risks for adverse pregnancy outcomes, although population-level evidence remains limited. This retrospective cohort study, including 147,950 pregnant women aged 20-45 years, used nationwide population-based data to compare the outcomes between women with (n = 11,400) and without (n = 136,550) endometriosis between 2000 and 2021. Baseline characteristics, comorbidities and pregnancy outcomes were compared between the groups. Multivariable regression analyses were performed to calculate adjusted relative risks (aRR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) for various pregnancy outcomes, and subgroup analyses were conducted by maternal age and infertility status. Among 147,950 pregnancies, women with endometriosis [mean ± standard deviation (SD) age 32.38 ± 4.51 years] had higher socio-economic status, more comorbidities, and more surgical history compared with women without endometriosis (mean ± SD age 30.06 ± 4.96 years). Women with endometriosis had increased risk of miscarriage (aRR 1.13, 95 % CI 1.03-1.24), preterm birth (aRR 1.31, 95 % CI 1.26-1.37), premature rupture of membranes (aRR 1.11, 95 % CI 1.06-1.16), placenta previa (aRR 1.63, 95 % CI 1.45-1.84), urinary tract infection (aRR 1.44, 95 % CI 1.31-1.59), and caesarean section (aRR 1.13, 95 % CI 1.11-1.16). Subgroup analysis revealed that risk of miscarriage was only higher in women aged 35-45 years and women without infertility. Risks of preterm birth, placenta previa and caesarean section were elevated across all subgroups, suggesting that endometriosis contributes independently to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Endometriosis is an independent risk factor for several pregnancy complications, supporting the need for tailored prenatal care and closer monitoring of affected women to improve maternal outcomes.
EndometriosisLaparoscopic Surgery OutcomesEndometriosis-Related InfertilityPrognostic Factors
Open Access
Zhang J et al., 2024·Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol
To analyze the factors that might influence the pregnancy rate in patients with infertility related to endometriosis (EMs) after undergoing laparoscopic surgery, providing guidance for our clinical diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making. A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical records and 1-year postoperative pregnancy outcomes of 335 patients diagnosed with endometriosis-related infertility via laparoscopic surgery, admitted to our department from January 2018 to December 2020. The overall pregnancy rate for patients with endometriosis (EMs) related infertility 1-year post-surgery was 57.3 %, with the highest pregnancy rate observed between 3 to 6 months after surgery. Factors such as Body Mass Index (BMI) (P = 0.515), presence of dysmenorrhea (P = 0.515), previous pelvic surgery (P = 0.247), type of EMs pathology (P = 0.893), and preoperative result of serum carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125)（P = 0.615）had no statistically significant effect on postoperative pregnancy rates. The duration of infertility (P = 0.029), coexistence of adenomyosis (P = 0.042), surgery duration (P = 0.015), intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.050), preoperative result of serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) (P = 0.002) and age greater than 35 (P = 0.000) significantly impacted postoperative pregnancy rates. The post-surgery pregnancy rate in patients with mild (Stage I-II) EMs was notably higher than those with moderate to severe (Stage III-IV) EMs (P = 0.009). Age (P = 0.002), EMs stage (P = 0.018), intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.010) and adenomyosis (P = 0.022) were the factors that affected the postoperative live birth rate. For patients with EMs-related infertility undergoing laparoscopic surgery, factors such as age > 35 years, infertility duration > 3 years, concurrent adenomyosis, severe EMs, surgery duration ≥ 2 h, intraoperative blood loss ≥ 50 ml, and low AMH before surgery are detrimental for the pregnancy rate within the first postoperative year. However, BMI, dysmenorrhea, past history of pelvic surgery, EMs pathology types (ovarian, peritoneal, deep infiltrating),and preoperative result of serum CA125 barely show any statistical difference in their effect on postoperative pregnancy rates. In terms of postoperative live birth rate, age > 35 years, severe EMs, intraoperative blood loss ≥ 50 ml, and adenomyosis were adverse factors.
Preston M et al., 2024·European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology
Preterm Birth (delivery before 37 weeks of gestation) is the leading cause of childhood mortality and is also associated with significant morbidity both in the neonatal period and beyond. The aetiology of spontaneous preterm birth is unclear and likely multifactorial incorporating factors such as infection/inflammation and cervical injury. Placental insufficiency is emerging as an additional contributor to spontaneous preterm delivery; however, the mechanisms by which this occurs are not fully understood. Serum biomarkers and imaging techniques have been investigated as potential predictors of placental insufficiency, however none have yet been found to have a sufficient predictive value. This review examines the evidence for the role of the placenta in preterm birth, preterm prelabour rupture of the membranes and abruption as well as highlighting areas where further research is required.