MiR‐29b levels in Cord Blood from Preterm Infants Are Associated with Fetal Inflammation

Background Previous reports have identified decreases in miR‐29b levels in preterm infants that go on to develop bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). The cause of depressed miR‐29b levels is unknown but may reflect an adverse maternal and/or intrauterine environment that led to preterm birth. This study was designed to investigate relationships between antenatal circumstances related to preterm birth and cord blood levels of miR29b. Methods We analyzed 127 cord blood collected from consecutive deliveries (n=114) of liveborn infants born ≤30 weeks gestation (median 27.4 weeks: IQR [25.6–29.0]). Data on maternal co‐morbidities, antecendants to preterm birth (e.g., preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, placental inflammation) were collected prospectively. miR‐29b levels were measured using RT‐PCR and normalized to expression of SP2. Data were analyzed for correlations by Spearman's correlation coefficient or Generalizing Estimating Equations (GEE) for mixed models controlling for twins. Results Preliminary results indicate that miR‐29b levels were correlated to umbilical funisitis (p=0.038). Regression analysis revealed miR‐29b is associated with intrauterine growth retardation (p=0.011) and pre‐term labor (p=0.007). Conclusions miR‐29b levels are associated with fetal inflammation and poor fetal growth. Maternal health is also related to fetal inflammation and further analyses of the clinical data is likely to reveal new correlations. Support or Funding Information NIH NICHD R01HD088033 This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal .