Human cathelicidin antimicrobial protein 18 (hCAP18/LL-37) is increased in foetal membranes and myometrium after spontaneous labour and delivery

Despite medical advances in recent years, preterm birth remains one of the prevalent causes of neonatal death and long-term morbidities that extend to adulthood (Saigal and Doyle, 2008). Approximately 25% of all preterm births are indicated, and the remainder are spontaneous. Spontaneous preterm labour can occur with intact membranes (approximately 45%) or pre-labour rupture of the foetal membranes (PROM; 30% of cases) (Parry and Strauss, 1998). It is the traditional view that term and preterm labour undergo the same processes, but at different gestational ages.

Source: Journal of Reproductive Immunology - November 11, 2014 Category: Allergy & Immunology Authors: Ratana Lim, Gillian Barker, Martha Lappas Source Type: research