title: Amniotic fluid inflammatory score is associated with pregnancy outcome in patients with mid trimester short cervix.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We propose a novel amniotic fluid inflammatory score from a comprehensive cytokine analysis of patients with mid-trimester short cervix.
  
  
  METHODS
  Amniotic fluid from singleton gestations (n = 44) with a cervical length of ≤25 mm between 16-24 weeks was assayed for 25 inflammatory mediators. Patient data were stratified according to gestational age at delivery (<34 vs ≥34 weeks). Mediators that reached statistical significance were included in the amniotic fluid inflammatory score. Patients were assigned 1 point for each significant mediator if their level was in the upper quartile. The amniotic fluid inflammatory score was determined, and its relationship to other clinical characteristics was examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fourteen mediators met the criteria. A score of ≥8 was predictive of delivery at <34 weeks' gestation (sensitivity, 87.0%; specificity, 100%; positive predictive value, 100%; negative predictive value, 87.5%). Twenty patients had a high inflammatory score (≥8); 24 patients had a low score. All patients with a high inflammatory score delivered at <30 weeks' gestation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The amniotic fluid inflammatory score is related to delivery outcome and clinical characteristics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Kiefer
authors.forename: Sean M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Keeler
authors.forename: Orion
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Rust
authors.forename: Sharon S W
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: Maria E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Craig
authors.forename: Morgan R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Peltier
authors.forename: Anthony M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Vintzileos
authors.forename: William D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Rawlinson
authors.forename: Nazeeh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hanna
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines