A bioplex analysis of cytokines and chemokines in first trimester maternal plasma to screen for predictors of miscarriage

Abstract

Background: We have previously shown in two independent cohorts that circulating first trimester Macrophage Inhibitory Cytokine-1 (MIC-1) levels are lower in women in early pregnancy who are destined to miscarriage. While promising, the diagnostic performance of measuring MIC-1 alone was not sufficient for it to be a useful predictive test for miscarriage. Besides MIC-1, there are other cytokines, as well as chemokines, involved in facilitating early pregnancy. We reasoned that screening these factors in maternal plasma could uncover other predictive markers of miscarriage. Methods: This was a nested case control study, of 78 women from a prospective study of 462 attending the Early Pregnanc..