Assessment of maternal serum inflammatory markers as predictors of preterm labor: A prospective cohort study

Background: Preterm labor remains a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality globally. The identification of reliable, non-invasive biomarkers that can predict preterm labor prior to its clinical onset is of paramount importance for timely intervention. Maternal serum inflammatory markers, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-?), and C-reactive protein (CRP), have been implicated in the pathophysiology of preterm parturition, yet their clinical predictive utility remains insufficiently characterized in prospective settings. Methods: This prospective cohort study enrolled 280 singleton pregnant women between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation at a tertiary obstetric center. Maternal venous blood samples were obtained and serum concentrations of IL-6, TNF-?, and CRP were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Participants were followed until delivery, and outcomes were classified as preterm labor (