Procalcitonin, neopterin and C-reactive protein in diagnostics of intrauterine infection and preterm delivery.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to find out whether Procalcitoni, Neopterin and C-reactive protein are sensitive and specific markers of intrauterine infection.

Methods: We evaluated 155 patients from 26. to 41. week of pregnancy at the time of delivery. We measured serum concentrations of procalcitonin (PCT), neopterin and C-reactive protein (CRP) from mother's blood sample at the beginning of delivery and from umbilical cord blood after delivery.

Results: In first group occurred in higher percentage (27.41%) preterm delivery (26.-37. week of pregnancy), chorioamnionitis confirmed by histological examination (16.12%) and preterm premature rupture of membranes (24.19%). In this group occured perinatal infection of newborn in 61.29%. In the second group preterm delivery (6.31%) and perinatal infection of newborn (7.36%) occured in lower percentage.

Conclusion: The results suggest that the simultaneous measurement of CRP, PCT and NPT in mother's blood sample before delivery and umbilical cord blood may provide an accurate early diagnosis of infection and then preterm delivery (Tab. 1, Fig. 3, Ref. 18). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.