Interleukin-1 beta gene polymorphisms and preterm birth

ObjectiveTo investigate the association between two genetic variations in the Interleukin-1 beta (IL1B) gene and preterm birth.Study designIn this case-control study we tested the allelic distribution of two of its common polymorphisms (IL1B +3953C>T [rs1143634], IL1B −511C>T [rs16944]) in one hundred women with preterm birth and one hundred healthy women with at least one uncomplicated full term pregnancy and no history of preterm birth.ResultsA significant association was found between the presence of the IL1B +3953C>T polymorphism and preterm birth (p = 0.049, OR 0.6 [0.3–1.0]). No significant association was found between the IL1B −511C>T polymorphism and preterm birth (p = 0.471, OR 1.3 [0.7–2.3]).ConclusionOur findings suggest that the IL1B +3953C>T polymorphism is associated with a risk reduction for preterm birth in Caucasian women, possibly by altering the inflammatory response during pregnancy.