Effect of maternal and neonatal interleukin-6 − 174 G/C polymorphism on preterm birth and neonatal morbidity

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze maternal and neonatal interleukin 6 (IL-6) (?174?G/C) polymorphism and to determine effect on preterm birth and neonatal morbidity.

Study Design: One hundred and sixty-four mothers (100 term births, 64 preterm births) and 183 newborn infants who were 100 healthy term and 83 preterm babies followed in newborn intensive care units were evaluated. PCR-RFLP was performed for IL-6 (?174?G/C) genotyping.

Results: The rate of GG genotype in mothers of term and preterm infants were 54% (n?=?54/100), 75% (n?=?48/64), respectively (p?>?.05) and the rate of GC?+?CC genotype was 46% (n?=?46/100) and 25% (n?=?16/64) in mothers giving term and preterm birth (PTB), respectively (p?n?=?65/100) and 81.9% (n?=?68/83) in term infants and preterm infants, respectively. GC?+?CC genotype was 35% (n?=?35/100) in term infants and 18.1% (n?=?15/83) in preterm infants (p?Conclusion: The IL-6 174?G/C gene polymorphism was significantly different between mothers who were giving to term and preterm birth. The presence of polymorphism is protective against preterm birth and was not associated with neonatal outcome.