A transcervical amniotic fluid collector: a new medical device for the assessment of amniotic fluid in patients with ruptured membranes.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a new device for the transcervical collection of amniotic fluid (AF) in patients with ruptured membranes, and to compare the concentration of proteins in fluid retrieved by transabdominal amniocentesis and the transcervical AF collector.


METHODS
Paired AF samples were collected in patients with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM) (n=11) by transabdominal amniocentesis and with the transcervical AF collector (Yoon's AF Collector™). Three proteins known to have high concentrations in AF [α-fetoprotein (AFP), β-human chorionic gonadotrophin (β-hCG), and prolactin] were measured.


RESULTS
(1) There was a significant correlation between the concentrations of analytes in AF obtained by transabdominal amniocentesis and by the transcervical AF collector (r=0.94, P<0.001 for AFP; r=0.96, P<0.001 for β-hCG; r=0.72, P<0.05 for prolactin); (2) Bland-Altman plots showed no evidence of heteroscedasticity between transabdominal or transcervical AF concentrations of these markers.


CONCLUSIONS
There was a strong correlation between the concentrations of proteins in AF collected by amniocentesis or with the transcervical device.
Seung Mi
SM
Lee
Roberto
R
Romero
Joong Shin
JS
Park
Piya
P
Chaemsaithong
Jong Kwan
JK
Jun
Bo Hyun
BH
Yoon
D000328:Adult; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000032:analysis; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis
D015415:Biomarkers; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D011388:Prolactin