Characterization of the maternal serum inflammatory profile during pregnancy according to socioeconomic status

Abstract

Problem: In pregnancy, lower socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with adverse outcomes, which is partly attributed to chronic inflammation. Our study compared the maternal serum cytokine profiles in patients with low and high SES. Method of Study: This retrospective cohort study compared maternal serum cytokine profiles between Medicaid-insured patients who delivered at an urban safety-net hospital (low SES) and privately-insured patients who delivered at a community-based academic hospital (high SES) in Atlanta, GA (n = 32–33/group). Serum samples were obtained during prenatal venipuncture from 13 to 38 weeks' gestation and the cohorts were matched by gestational age. Interferon (IFN)-γ, Interleukin (IL)-10, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α were assayed from maternal serum samples using a standard ELISA assay. Results: Median concentrations of IL-6, a promotor of chronic inflammation, were higher in the low SES group (0.85 vs. 0.49 pg/mL, p