[Does lung maturation therapy with 16-methylene-prednisolone modify maternal infection parameters in threatened premature labor?].
Silent intrauterine infection is a frequent cause of preterm labour. Maternal C-reactive protein (CRP) and leukocyte count are important predictors of such infections. Treatment with corticosteroids is known to elevate leukocyte count and in this manner can possibly interfere with its accuracy as a predictor of infection. Therefore, we investigated the impact of antenatal administration of 16-methylene-prednisolone (Decortilen solubile) on the maternal serum level of CRP and leukocyte count. Furthermore, we determined the haptoglobin, the platelet count as well as the percentage of stab cells and lymphocytes.


METHODS
20 patients with preterm labour between 25 + 6 and 34 + 2 weeks of gestation were enrolled in a prospective study. Premature rupture of the membranes, uterine bleeding, infection and treatment with antibiotics were criteria for exclusion. Three doses (60 mg) of Decortilen solubile were given intravenously 24 h apart. Blood samples were obtained before, twice a day (8.00 a.m. and p.m.) during treatment and until the day 4 after termination of corticosteroid treatment. For statistical analysis the Wilcoxon rank sum test was used.


RESULTS
Before corticosteroid treatment the medians (range) were: CRP: 5.2 ( < 5.0-28.0) mg/l, haptoglobin: 1.4 (0.7-2.0) g/l, leukocytes: 10.5 (5.2-16.0) G/l, platelets: 246 (128-424) G/l, stabs: 9.5 (3.0-14.0)% and lymphocytes: 28.5 (16.0-50.0)%. During the after termination of corticosteroid administration no significant changes in the CRP and haptoglobin levels were seen. The leukocyte count was unchanged during treatment and decreased on day 1-2 after termination of treatment. The platelet count remained unchanged during corticosteroid treatment and increased significantly thereafter. The stab cell percentage increased slightly from day 1-2 to day 3-4 after termination of treatment. The lymphocyte percentage increased during treatment and decreased significantly from day 1-2 to day 3-4 after treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Decortilen solubile treatment is not associated with an increase in maternal CRP-level and leukocyte count. We emphasise that the accuracy especially of the CRP for early prediction of silent infection in preterm labour does not seem to be impaired by this corticosteroid in a dosage usually administered for prevention of respiratory distress syndrome.
Winkler
M
M
Frauenklinik für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe der Rheinisch-Westfälischen Technischen Hochschule (RWTH), Aachen.
Heyl
W
W
Reister
F
F
Rath
W
W
D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002821:Chorioamnionitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000276:immunology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005280:Fenoterol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005325:Fetal Organ Maturity / Q000187:drug effects*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000187:drug effects; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology*; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015149:Tocolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage
D015149:Tocolytic Agents; D005280:Fenoterol; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D011239:Prednisolone; C036266:prednylidene
Beeinflusst die Lungenreifetherapie mit 16-Methylen-Prednisolon die mütterlichen Infektionsparameter bei drohender Frühgeburt?