Amniotic fluid rapid biomarkers are associated with intra-amniotic infection in preterm pregnancies regardless of the membrane status

Abstract

Objective:The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of amniotic fluid lactate dehydrogenase and glucose concentrations with microbial invasion of amniotic cavity and histologic chorioamnionitis before 37 pregnancy weeks in women with or without preterm premature rupture of membranes.Study Design:Amniocentesis was performed on 70 women with suspected intra-amniotic infection. Standard biochemical methods, molecular microbiology and culture techniques were used. Histopathological examination of the placenta was performed.Results:Thirty (48%) women had microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (MIAC), 53 (76%) women had histological chorioamnionitis and 28 women had both. The cutoff values for MIAC and histological chorioamnionitis were 429 IU l -1 for lactate dehydrogenase and 0.7 mmol l -1 for glucose. Both end points occurred equally often regardless of the membrane status.Conclusion:Increased amniotic fluid lactate dehydrogenase and decreased glucose were associated with MIAC and histological chorioamnionitis. However, test performance was of limited value.