Maternal Interleukin-6 as a Predictor of Preterm Birth: A Prospective Observational Study at the County Clinical Emergency Hospital of Sibiu

Background Preterm birth remains a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Inflammation plays a crucial role in its pathophysiology, with interleukin-6 (IL-6) recognized as a key cytokine mediating preterm labor. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between maternal serum IL-6 levels and gestational age at delivery, birthweight, and neonatal outcomes in women presenting with spontaneous preterm labor. Methods A prospective observational study was conducted at the County Clinical Emergency Hospital of Sibiu between January 2024 and January 2025. Fifty pregnant women between 27 and 34 weeks of gestation were enrolled. Maternal serum IL-6 concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Clinical variables and neonatal outcomes were recorded. Results The mean gestational age at delivery was 31.86 ± 1.88 weeks, and the mean maternal IL-6 was 12.76 ± 3.04 pg/mL. IL-6 correlated inversely with both gestational age (r = -0.709, p < 0.001) and birthweight (r = -0.721, p < 0.001). Women delivering before 32 weeks had significantly higher IL-6 concentrations than those delivering later (p < 0.001). Neonates born to mothers with IL-6 ≥ 11 pg/mL had a higher rate of NICU admission (55.6% vs. 14.3%, p = 0.020). Overall, neonatal survival to discharge was 94%. Conclusions Maternal IL-6 levels are significantly elevated in women delivering preterm and correlate inversely with gestational age and neonatal birthweight. These findings support the use of IL-6 as a predictive biomarker for preterm birth. Routine IL-6 assessment may improve early identification and management of at-risk pregnancies.