title: Adverse outcomes after preterm labor are associated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha polymorphism -863, but not -308, in mother-infant pairs.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Josephine H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Amory
authors.forename: Kristina M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Ming-Tseh
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Eschenbach
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hitti
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha