The assessment of the relationship between amniotic fluid matrix metalloproteinase-9 and zinc levels with adverse obstetric outcomes

Objective

To examine the relationship between the amniotic fluid MMP-9 and zinc levels during 16–19th gestational weeks and perinatal outcomes.

Method

One hundred and seventeen singleton pregnancies that underwent genetic amniocentesis from January 2005 through November 2009 were evaluated. Subjects were divided into two main groups: a control group (group 1) (n: 74), and an adverse obstetric outcomes group (group 2) (n: 43). Group 2 consisted of the following: preterm birth group, gestational hypertension and preeclampsia group, gestational diabetes group, fetal growth restriction group, macrosomia group, and pregnancy loss group. MMP-9 and zinc (Zn) values in the amniocentesis materials sampled between the 16th and 19th gestational weeks were analyzed retrospectively in terms of perinatal outcomes. Any significant difference among the groups was assessed by unpaired samples t test and the Mann–Whitney U test. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05.

Results

A comparison among groups showed no significant difference in terms of Zn results between the group 1 and 2 (p = 0.879). MMP-9 levels were significantly lower in both the preterm birth group (p = 0.043) and group 1 (p = 0.015).

Conclusion

We found that the amniotic fluid MMP-9 levels of patients who delivered preterm were significantly lower between the 16th and 19th gestational weeks.