Adverse outcomes after preterm labor are associated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha polymorphism -863, but not -308, in mother-infant pairs.
OBJECTIVE
Two single-base polymorphisms of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene (TNF-alpha) at positions -863 and -308 are associated with variation in production of TNF-alpha (TNF-alpha). TNF-alpha genotypes were tested for association with adverse outcomes in mother-infant pairs with preterm labor.


METHODS
We analyzed a cohort of 118 mother-infant pairs with preterm labor before 34 weeks' gestation. Polymerase chain reaction was used on extracted deoxyribonucleic acid for polymorphism assay. Outcomes included amniotic fluid TNF-alpha concentration, histologic chorioamnionitis, delivery gestational age, and composite neonatal morbidity. Statistical significance was determined by chi 2 and Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance.


RESULTS
Mothers homozygous for the -863 polymorphism (AA) had significantly earlier deliveries ( P = .02), more chorioamnionitis ( P = .03), and greater composite neonatal morbidity ( P = .03). Neither maternal nor fetal carriage of the -308 polymorphism was associated with adverse outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
In women with preterm labor before 34 weeks' gestation, maternal homozygous carriage of the -863 polymorphism may be associated with preterm delivery and adverse neonatal outcome.
Amory
Josephine H
JH
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
Adams
Kristina M
KM
Lin
Ming-Tseh
MT
Hansen
John A
JA
Eschenbach
David A
DA
Hitti
Jane
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D002821:Chorioamnionitis / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000235:genetics*; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000235:genetics*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000235:genetics*
D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha