title: Amniotic fluid concentrations of adrenomedullin in preterm labor.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether adrenomedullin levels in amniotic fluid were associated with preterm labor.
  
  
  METHODS
  We measured immunoreactive adrenomedullin in amniotic fluid collected by amniocentesis from 36 women with clinical diagnosis of preterm labor or preterm premature rupture of membranes (PROM) and from 18 normal pregnant women.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Amniotic fluid from cases of PROM and failure to respond to tocolysis were associated significantly with higher amniotic fluid adrenomedullin concentrations (177.0 +/- 22.5 pg/mL and 182.7 +/- 22.0 pg/mL, respectively, P < .01) than that from uncomplicated pregnancies (101.2 +/- 28.1 pg/mL) or preterm labor responsive to tocolysis (102.3 +/- 26.8 pg/mL).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Amniotic fluid adrenomedullin is higher than normal in cases of PROM and preterm labor unresponsive to tocolysis, perhaps indicating enhanced synthesis from placenta or fetal membranes being stimulated by bacterial products.
authors.affiliation: 2nd Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Department of Internal Medicine, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy. perinat@flashnet.it
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marinoni
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Di Iorio
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Letizia
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Villaccio
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alberini
authors.forename: E V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Cosmi
mesh_terms: D053607:Adrenomedullin; D000328:Adult; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes; D006801:Humans; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature; D010455:Peptides / Q000032:analysis*; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D010455:Peptides; D053607:Adrenomedullin