Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Polymorphisms in Women Receiving Epidural Analgesia Who Develop Maternal Intrapartum Fever: A Prospective, Multicentre Mendelian Randomised Study

Obstetric Anesthesia Digest 2026

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Authors: EPIFEVER-2 investigators
DOI: 10.1097/01.aoa.0001178624.05535.e0
Cited by: 0

Abstract

( Br J Anaesth. 2025;135:134-140 doi: 10.1016/j.bja.2025.03.037) The EPIFEVER-2 study was an extensive, prospective, multicenter Mendelian randomization study exploring whether genetic variants influencing interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) levels affect the risk of maternal fever during labor in women receiving epidural analgesia (LEA). Since epidural-related maternal fever (ERMF) occurs in roughly 20% of laboring women, researchers hypothesized that higher genetically predicted levels of IL-1Ra, a natural anti-inflammatory cytokine, might protect against fever and the associated need for intrapartum antibiotics.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Anesthesia and Pain Management Preterm Birth and Chorioamnionitis Inflammasome and immune disorders

Publication details

Journal / source
Obstetric Anesthesia Digest
Volume
46
Issue
1
Pages
16–17
Publication date
1 March 2026
Language
EN