Serum macrophage migration inhibitory factor in the prediction of preterm delivery.
OBJECTIVE
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor is a soluble mediator that helps govern the interaction between cytokines and stress hormones (eg, cortisol). We determined whether maternal macrophage migration inhibitory factor levels predicted subsequent preterm delivery.


METHODS
A nested case-control study measuring serum macrophage migration inhibitory factor concentration at 9-23 weeks' gestation in women who ultimately delivered preterm (n = 60) compared with control women who delivered at term (n = 122). We also examined the connection of macrophage migration inhibitory factor with self-reported psychosocial variables.


RESULTS
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor was elevated in the preterm delivery cases (P = .0004), and log macrophage migration inhibitory factor concentration showed a graded response relationship with likelihood of preterm delivery. High-macrophage migration inhibitory factor was also associated with maternal risk-taking behavior, which itself was a risk factor for preterm delivery. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor remained associated independently with preterm delivery after adjusting regression models for several other preterm delivery risk factors (odds ratio, 3.11, 95% confidence interval, 1.54-6.30).


CONCLUSIONS
High-serum macrophage migration inhibitory concentration in early to midpregnancy is linked with subsequent preterm delivery.
Pearce
Brad D
BD
Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA. bpearce@emory.edu
Garvin
Sicily E
SE
Grove
Jakob
J
Bonney
Elizabeth A
EA
Dudley
Donald J
DJ
Schendel
Diana E
DE
Thorsen
Poul
P
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors / Q000097:blood*; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000097:blood*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D008263:Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors