Interleukin-1 beta gene polymorphisms and preterm birth

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the association between two genetic variations in the Interleukin-1 beta (IL1B) gene and preterm birth.

Study design: In this case-control study we tested the allelic distribution of two of its common polymorphisms (IL1B +3953C>T [rs1143634], IL1B -511C>T [rs16944]) in one hundred women with preterm birth and one hundred healthy women with at least one uncomplicated full term pregnancy and no history of preterm birth.

Results: A significant association was found between the presence of the IL1B +3953C>T polymorphism and preterm birth (p=0.049, OR 0.6 [0.3-1.0]). No significant association was found between the IL1B -511C>T polymorphism and preterm birth (p=0.471, OR 1.3 [0.7-2.3]).

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the IL1B +3953C>T polymorphism is associated with a risk reduction for preterm birth in Caucasian women, possibly by altering the inflammatory response during pregnancy.