Black Women's Predisposition to Preterm Birth; Could We Be Near The Answer?

Background: Pre-term Premature Rupture of Membranes (PPROM) is attributable to several causes including asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis among Caucasians and is commoner among black pregnant women. While malaria and high Body Mass Index (BMI) have been reported among Nigerians, the influence of metalloproteinases on PPROM has never been studied in Nigeria.
Methods: A qualitative estimation of active matrixmetalloproteinase-8 (a-MMP-8) to assess the effect of chronic periodontitis on time to conception led to an accidental discovery of widespread elevation of a-MMP-8 among pregnant participants. Values of a-MMP-8 were compared across demographics of participants as well as educational status, BMI and other parameters.
Results : One hundred and seventeen of 134 participants (117, 87.3%) had elevated a-MMP-8 based on a novel qualitative assessment using salivary diagnostics. Levels were increased across independent of age, Estimated Gestational Age(EGA), BMI, educational level and trimester.
Conclusion: This population of black pregnant women exhibited higher a-MMP-8 levels than reported among pregnant Caucasians independent of demographics, educational level and trimester of pregnancy. Reasons for the association need to be further investigated.