Metabolomic profiling of the amniotic fluid predicts the risk of preterm delivery and BPD development

Objective : Preterm birth is the leading cause of perinatal mortality and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate if metabolic profiling of the amniotic fluid (AF) can identify biomarkers associated with preterm delivery and BPD development. Methods : 32 AF samples, collected between the 21th and the 28th week of gestation, were retrospectively analyzed: 10 mothers with preterm delivery (median GA 26 wk) of neonates who developed BPD (PD-BPD group) (birth weight, BW 877 gr), 11 mothers with preterm delivery (GA 28 wk) of neonates who did not develop BPD (PD-noBPD group) (BW 1590 gr), 11 mothers who delivered at term (GA 39 wk) healthy neonates (TD-noBPD group) (BW 3600 gr). The metabolomic analysis was performed by UPLC Q-Tof Synapt G2 (Waters) in positive and negative mode using a reverse phase column HSS T3. The data extraction was made by Markerlynx software. Multivariate data analysis was applied. Results: A robust PLS-DA model able to distinguish the three groups of AF samples was obtained (figure). Conclusion : Metabolomic analysis of AF revealed the presence of metabolic profiles characterizing preterm delivery and BPD development.