Histologic Chorioamnionitis, Amniotic Fluid Interleukin 6, Krebs von den Lungen 6, and Transforming Growth Factor β1 for the Development of Neonatal Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

BACKGROUND Chorioamnionitis (CAM) is an important risk factor for the development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in preterm infants. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the effects of CAM on the development of BPD using interleukin 6 (IL-6), Krebs von den Lungen 6 (KL-6), and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) in the amniotic fluid as markers for inflammation, lung injury, and fibrosis/remodeling, respectively. METHODS Amniotic fluid concentrations of IL-6, KL-6, and TGF-β1 were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay. RESULTS Of the 36 preterm infants, 18 were exposed to histologically confirmed CAM. Of these, 12 were later diagnosed as having BPD. The IL-6, KL-6, and TGF-β1 levels in the amniotic fluid significantly increased with increasing histologic severity of CAM. Moreover, these markers were higher in the BPD group with histologic CAM than those without. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that CAM is likely to induce inflammatory, injury, and remodeling processes in the fetal lung.