title: Elevation of total nitrite and nitrate concentration in vaginal secretions as a predictor of premature delivery.
abstract: We measured the total concentration of nitrite and nitrate, metabolites of nitric oxide, in vaginal secretions from pregnant women at 22 to 32 weeks' gestation. Total nitrite and nitrate concentrations in patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes and in those with preterm labor and subsequent premature delivery were significantly higher than concentrations in patients who were delivered at term. Elevated total nitrite and nitrate concentration may predict premature delivery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Okayama University Medical School, Okayama City, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakatsuka
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Habara
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kamada
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tada
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kudo
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D020070:Cervical Ripening; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009566:Nitrates / Q000032:analysis*; D009573:Nitrites / Q000032:analysis*; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D012372:ROC Curve; D014621:Vagina / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites