Amniocentesis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Amniocentesis, including details on pregnancy, prenatal screening, diagnosis, risks, down syndrome.

Can levels of interleukins and matrix metalloproteinases in the amniotic fluid predict postnatal bowel function in fetuses with gastroschisis?

Fasching G, Haeusler M, Mayr J, Schimpl G, Haas J, Puerstner P

Department of Pediatric Surgery, Medical University of Graz, A-8036 Graz, Austria. g.fasching@lkh-klu.at

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine whether interleukin or matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) levels in the amniotic fluid can predict the postnatal condition of the bowel in fetuses with gastroschisis (GS). METHODS: Eleven pregnant women with a fetus with GS underwent amniocentesis. Levels of IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6 were measured in 10 of 11 specimens, and MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-8 levels were measured in 7 of 11 specimens. Neonates who tolerated complete oral feeding within 21 days were considered to have good bowel status (GS/good: n = 4, 4 in interleukin study or 3 in MMP study); those who did not were considered to have poor bowel status (GS/poor: n =7, 6 in interleukin study or 4 in MMP study). Seventy-eight women undergoing amniocentesis for other reasons served as controls. RESULTS: Interleukin-1 levels were considerably lower in the pregnancies complicated by GS than in controls. Matrix metalloproteinases 3 and 8 levels were significantly higher in the GS pregnancies than in controls. Neonates with poor bowel status had higher MMP-3 and MMP-8 levels than those with good bowel status. CONCLUSION: Amniotic fluid MMP-3 and MMP-8 levels may prove useful to assess the condition of the bowel in fetuses with GS.

Published 12 December 2005 in J Pediatr Surg, 40(12): 1887-91.
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