Abstract
Paired maternal and fetal prostaglandin levels were estimated in patients with pregnancies complicated by premature rupture of the membranes (PROM). Their results were compared to those of controls who had pregnancies with intact membranes. Fetal samples were obtained by cordocentesis, no patient was in labour at the time of cordocentesis. No control pregnancy was complicated by oligohydramnios or infection and none of the fetuses had renal disease. Prostaglandin levels were assessed by estimation of PGEM levels. Nine patients with PROM were recruited, cordocentesis was performed at a median of 4 days following PROM and at a median of 28 weeks gestational age. 12 controls were recruited, median gestational age at cordocentesis 27 weeks. Maternal PGEM levels were higher in the PROM patients (mean 348pg/ml) than the controls (mean 262 pg/ml), (95% confidence intervals 2.0 to 172), p<0.05. Fetal PGEM levels were also higher in the PROM patients (mean 349 pg/ml) than the controls (mean 216 pg/ml), (95% confidence intervals 41 to 224), p<0.01. We conclude prostaglandin levels are elevated in pregnancies complicated by premature rupture of the membranes.
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Thompson, P., Greenough, A., Nicolaides, K. et al. 112 ELEVATION OF PROSTAGLANDIN LEVELS IN PREGNANCIES COMPLICATED BY PREMATURE RUPTURE OF THE MEMBRANES (PROM). Pediatr Res 30, 646 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199112000-00142
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199112000-00142