High Maternal Serum Interleukin-8 and Endocervical Neutrophil Cell Count as Risk Factors for Preterm Labor

Abstract: Background: Preterm laborincidence ratesare still high invariouscountries including Indonesia ranging from 10-20 %. The definitecause ofpreterm labor remains unknown. IL-8andneutrophilcell are thought to play important roleinthe pathogenesis ofpreterm labor. Objective: Todeterminethe role of high maternal serum IL-8andendocervical neutrophilcell count as risk factorsforpreterm labor. Study design: This is a case control study, involving46 preterm labor cases and 46 preterm pregnancy controls. Results: High level ofIL- 8in maternalserumincreased the risk ofpreterm labor by 96times( OR =95.56; 95 % CI=22.38-40.87, p = 0.001) compared tolow level maternal serumIL–8.High number endocervical neutrophil cellsincreased the risk ofpreterm labor by 68times( OR =68.08; 95 % CI=16.84-275.21, p = 0.001) compared tothe low numberof neutrophil cells. Maternal serum IL-8 is amoredominantrisk factor forpreterm labor comparedto endocervical neutrophil. Conclusion: High level of maternal IL - 8 and endocervical neutrophil cells increase the risk of preterm labor by 96 times and 68 times respectively. Maternal serum IL - 8 is a more dominant risk factor for preterm labor compared to endocervical neutrophil cells.