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1101608 
Journal Article 
Interleukin-10 in amniotic fluid at midtrimester: immune activation and suppression in relation to fetal growth 
Heyborne, KD; Mcgregor, JA; Henry, G; Witkin, SS; Abrams, JS 
1994 
Yes 
American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
ISSN: 0002-9378
EISSN: 1097-6868 
171 
1 
55-59 
English 
8030734 
OBJECTIVE: Low birth weight remains the leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality, but mechanisms mediating impaired fetal growth are poorly understood. To further define the role of abnormal immune activation and suppression in mediating impaired fetal growth, we measured levels of interleukin-10, a potent immunosuppressive cytokine not previously identified in association with pregnancy, in amniotic fluid samples obtained at genetic amniocentesis.

STUDY DESIGN: In a case-control study with an enzyme-linked immunoassay we compared amniotic fluid levels of interleukin-10 in midtrimester samples obtained from appropriate-for-gestational age (n = 42) and small-for-gestational-age (n = 24) pregnancies.

RESULTS: Interleukin-10 levels in small-for-gestational-age samples were elevated (median 78 pg/ml) compared with levels in control samples (median < 40 pg/ml), p = 0.02. In small-for-gestational-age pregnancies elevated levels were associated with nulliparity, p = 0.003.

CONCLUSION: Our data support the role of abnormal immune activation, as opposed to inadequate immune suppression, in mediating impaired fetal growth.