1. [Premature membrane rupture. Comparison of diagnostic tests]
- Author
-
Trovò, S, Brigato, L, Plebani, Mario, Brigato, G, and Grismondi, Gl
- Subjects
Adult ,Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture ,Vaginal Discharge ,Predictive Value of Tests ,Pregnancy ,Pregnancy Trimester, Third ,Cervix Mucus ,Humans ,Female ,Gestational Age ,Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ,Fibronectins - Abstract
Objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the vaginal pH-test, the Fern-test, the research of foetal cells and of foetal fibronectin in vaginal discharge, which are used to diagnose premature rupture of membranes.To this aim 40 pregnant patients between 24th and 37th weeks gestation have been examined, considered at risk for sub-clinic loss of aminiotic fluid: 23 were affected by preterm labour and 17 by suspected rupture of membranes.Subsequently amniotic sac was confirmed to be ripped in 10 cases (25%): 2 (8.7%) in the 23 patients with preterm labour, and 8 (47%) in the 17 patients with suspected PROM. Sensibility, specificity and accuracy were respectively: 70, 97 and 90% for pH-test; 70, 100 and 93% for Fern-test; 50, 93 and 82% for foetal cells; 100, 90 and 93% for fibronectin test.In personal experience fibronectin test appeared to be the most sensible and accurate marker. Fern-test was the most specific, while the research of foetal cells appeared to be the least reliable.
- Published
- 1999