Elevation of prostaglandin levels in pregnancies complicated by premature rupture of the membranes.
Premature labour and infection (both maternal and neonatal) are common outcomes of pregnancies complicated by premature rupture of the membranes (PROM). Both conditions are associated with elevation of prostaglandin levels. It therefore seems likely that prostaglandins may be increased in patients with pregnancies complicated by PROM. The aim of this study was to test this hypothesis by comparing prostaglandin levels in pregnancies complicated by PROM to those from control pregnancies with intact membranes. Paired fetal and maternal samples were obtained from nine patients with pregnancies complicated by PROM. The median onset of PROM was 28 weeks (range 22-31 weeks). Fetal blood was obtained by cordocentesis, ultrasound guided puncture of the umbilical cord and this was performed at a median of 4 days (range 1-28) following rupture of the membranes. Delivery occurred at a median gestational age of 33 weeks (range 28-37). Paired samples were also obtained from 12 "control" pregnancies with intact membranes and no evidence of infection or premature labour. The indications for cordocentesis in this group were rapid fetal karyotyping following the ultrasonic detection of small fetal structural abnormalities or fetal blood grouping following the detection of high maternal haemolytic antibody titre. Sampling was performed at a median of 27 weeks of gestation (range 22-32). Prostaglandin levels were assessed by determination of the level of the metabolic compound bicyclo-PGEM by radioimmunoassay.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Thompson
P J
PJ
Dept of Child Health, King's College Hospital, London, U.K.
Greenough
A
A
Nicolaides
K H
KH
Lopez-Bernal
A
A
D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000097:blood*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood*
C025088:11-deoxy-15-keto-13,14-dihydro-11 beta,16-cycloprostaglandin E2; D015232:Dinoprostone