OBJECTIVES Few studies have investigated the distribution of multiple cytokines in fetal pleural effusion, and its clinical implications are uncertain. This study aimed to determine cytokine levels in fetal pleural effusion and their clinical role in affected fetuses. METHODS We obtained fetal pleural fluid samples from 18 infants and investigated the profiles of 40 cytokines using multiplex immunoassay. Relationships among cytokines were estimated by Spearman correlation analysis. Possible associations of cytokine levels with fetal adverse outcomes, including perinatal demise and neurodevelopmental impairment, were studied using univariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Several pro-inflammatory cytokines and CCL chemokines were highly correlated with each other. In contrast, CXCL chemokines had relatively weak correlations with other cytokines. The levels of IL-1β, IL-2, and CCL20 were significantly associated with the occurrence of fetal adverse outcomes. Based on our findings, IL-1β had the strongest causal link to adverse outcomes among the cytokines [odds ratio (OR): 19.74; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.14-341.9; p = 0.040]. CONCLUSIONS Cytokine levels in fetal pleural effusion varied considerably among cases with or without adverse outcomes. These results provide important information for further clarifying the pathophysiology of fetal pleural effusion and a novel clinical implication that could predict the occurrence of adverse outcomes.

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胎儿胸腔积液中细胞因子水平的测定及其与胎儿/新生儿发现的关联

目的 很少有研究调查胎儿胸腔积液中多种细胞因子的分布，其临床意义尚不确定。本研究旨在确定胎儿胸腔积液中的细胞因子水平及其在受影响胎儿中的临床作用。方法 我们从 18 名婴儿中获取胎儿胸水样本，并使用多重免疫分析研究了 40 种细胞因子的分布。通过斯皮尔曼相关分析估计细胞因子之间的关系。使用单变量逻辑回归分析研究细胞因子水平与胎儿不良结局（包括围产期死亡和神经发育障碍）的可能关联。结果 几种促炎细胞因子和 CCL 趋化因子相互高度相关。相比之下，CXCL 趋化因子与其他细胞因子的相关性相对较弱。IL-1β、IL-2和CCL20水平与胎儿不良结局的发生显着相关。根据我们的发现，IL-1β 与细胞因子中不良结果的因果关系最强 [优势比 (OR)：19.74；95% 置信区间 (CI)：1.14-341.9；p = 0.040]。结论 在有或没有不良结果的情况下，胎儿胸腔积液中的细胞因子水平差异很大。这些结果为进一步阐明胎儿胸腔积液的病理生理学提供了重要信息，并为预测不良结局的发生提供了新的临床意义。在细胞因子中，IL-1β 与不良结果的因果关系最强 [优势比 (OR)：19.74；95% 置信区间 (CI)：1.14-341.9；p = 0.040]。结论 在有或没有不良结果的情况下，胎儿胸腔积液中的细胞因子水平差异很大。这些结果为进一步阐明胎儿胸腔积液的病理生理学提供了重要信息，并为预测不良结局的发生提供了新的临床意义。在细胞因子中，IL-1β 与不良结果的因果关系最强 [优势比 (OR)：19.74；95% 置信区间 (CI)：1.14-341.9；p = 0.040]。结论 在有或没有不良结果的情况下，胎儿胸腔积液中的细胞因子水平差异很大。这些结果为进一步阐明胎儿胸腔积液的病理生理学提供了重要信息，并为预测不良结局的发生提供了新的临床意义。