Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in human midpregnancy amniotic fluid and risk of preterm labor

Abstract

Object: This work stands as a pilot study in assessing the reliability of metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) as a marker for intraamiotic infection and preterm birth already in early pregnancy.

Subject: 100 amniotic fluids taken at the Midwife Obstetrics and Gynaecological Clinic of the University of L'Aquila (Italy).

Results: Our results show that MMP-9 is a sensitive marker of intraamionic infection (an important risk factor for preterm delivery) already in early pregnancy, because only women with a significant elevation were subsequently exposed to preterm birth.

Conclusions: Early identification of women at risk of preterm birth is of important clinical significance. Indeed exposing women to deep diagnostic and therapeutic protocols could possibly reduce the incidence of preterm birth in the near future and have a positive impact on fetal prognosis related to unknown intraamniotic infection.