title: Proteomic identification of serum peptides predicting subsequent spontaneous preterm birth.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We sought to identify serum markers of subsequent spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB) in asymptomatic women prior to labor.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum proteomics was applied to sera from 80 pregnant women sampled at 24 weeks and an additional 80 pregnant women sampled at 28 weeks. Half had uncomplicated pregnancies and half had SPTB.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three specific peptides arising from inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 4 protein were significantly reduced in women at 24 and 28 weeks having subsequent SPTB. The most discriminating peptide had a sensitivity of 65.0% and specificity of 82.5%; odds ratio, 8.8; and 95% confidence interval, 3.1-24.8. A combination of the 3 new biomarkers and 6 previously studied biomarkers increased sensitivity to 86.5%, with a specificity of 80.6% at 28 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Three novel serum markers of SPTB have been identified using serum proteomics. Using a combination of these new markers with additional markers, women at risk of SPTB can be identified weeks prior to SPTB.
authors.affiliation: Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, 84132, USA. sean.esplin@imail.org
authors.forename: M Sean
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Esplin
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Merrell
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Goldenberg
authors.forename: Yinglei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Jay D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Iams
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mercer
authors.forename: Catherine Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Spong
authors.forename: Menachem
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miodovnik
authors.forename: Hygriv N
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Simhan
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: van Dorsten
authors.forename: Mitchell
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dombrowski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D040901:Proteomics; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers