title: Can levels of interleukins and matrix metalloproteinases in the amniotic fluid predict postnatal bowel function in fetuses with gastroschisis?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Amniotic fluid MMP-3 and MMP-8 levels may prove useful to assess the condition of the bowel in fetuses with GS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Medical University of Graz, A-8036 Graz, Austria. g.fasching@lkh-klu.at
authors.forename: Guenter
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fasching
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haeusler
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mayr
authors.forename: Guenther
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schimpl
authors.forename: Josef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Haas
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Puerstner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000649:Amniocentesis; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D020139:Gastroschisis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000032:analysis*; D007422:Intestines / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 / Q000032:analysis*; D020784:Matrix Metalloproteinase 8 / Q000032:analysis*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007375:Interleukin-1; D003094:Collagen; D019278:Matrix Metalloproteinase 3; D020784:Matrix Metalloproteinase 8