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FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH PRETERM BIRTH BEFORE 34 WEEKS IN TWIN PREGNANCIES MANAGED AT HAI PHONG UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE AND PHARMACY HOSPITAL
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Abstract
Objective: To determine the correlation between interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels and morphological changes in the cervix on second-trimester ultrasound, as well as the association of these pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) with preterm birth in twin pregnancies. Methods: The study was conducted on 93 women with twin pregnancies, at gestational ages ranging from 14 to 24 weeks, at Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital during the period 2022–2024. Maternal blood levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were measured at 16 weeks of gestation. Transvaginal ultrasound was performed to measure cervical length and uterocervical angle every two weeks at 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24 weeks. Comparisons of these parameters were made between groups delivering preterm before 34 weeks, before 37 weeks, and the term delivery group. Results: The mean maternal age in the study group was 32.1 ± 4.7 years, with a mean body mass index of 21.1 ± 2.2 kg/m². Mean levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were 208.98 ± 5.64 pg/mL, 26.59 ± 2.04 pg/mL, and 19.14 ± 1.05 pg/mL, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in IL-1β, IL-6, or TNF-α levels between the groups delivering preterm before 34 weeks, before 37 weeks, and the term delivery group (p > 0.05). No statistically significant correlation was found between pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) and cervical length or uterocervical angle on second-trimester ultrasound. Conclusion: The study found no statistically significant correlation between IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α levels and changes in cervical length or uterocervical angle on second-trimester ultrasound in women with twin pregnancies. Furthermore, pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α measured at 16 weeks of gestation had no predictive value for preterm birth in women with twin pregnancies.
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Keywords
preterm birth, cervical length, uterocervical angle, pro-inflammatory cytokines.
References
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