title: [A new method for self assessment of the pH value of vaginal secretions using an indicator-coated panty liner--initial preliminary report].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The measurement of the pH-value in the secretions of the vagina is one of the most important early diagnostic methods to recognize disturbances of the vaginal milieu in order to prevent the very early premature deliveries. Up to now, within the framework of a prenatal care program, the acidity of the vagina was assessed by the women themselves "invasively" by introduction of a special indicator device (pH-strips or disposable pH-measuring gloves). Now we have developed a possibility to assess the pH-value just by simple inspection of an indicator coated panty liner, which is worn for a couple of hours. The results can be assessed by comparing the color of the indicator with a standard scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was possible to assess the pH in 77% of 133 parallel measurements comparing the pH of the vagina and of the indicator coated panty liner in 19 pregnant women. An agreement of the two methods for pH-determination was found in 66%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results are encouraging and further investigation in larger series of cases are in progress.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Perinatale Medizin, Berlin-Neukölln.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Saling
mesh_terms: D000136:Acid-Base Equilibrium / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008403:Mass Screening; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011934:Reagent Strips; D012648:Self Care; D014621:Vagina / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014627:Vaginitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D011934:Reagent Strips