Role of Maternal Serum Procalcitonin, Interleukin-6 and hs-C Reactive Protein in Prediciton of Subclinical (Intrauterine) Infection in Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes

To evaluate the role of procalcitonin (PCT), high senstive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) for prediction of subclinical intrauterine infection in pregnant women with preterm premature rupture of membranes. Methods: Twenty patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes PPROM (study group) and twenty apparently healthy pregnant women (control) group between 26-34 weeks of pregnancy were enrolled in this study. In all cases analysis of serum procalcitonin by high performance liquid chromatography, Il-6 by ELISA method and hs-CRP by nephelometry were done. Culture of vaginal bacteria was done for study group only. Results: Procalcitonin levels in the PRROM group were significantly higher than in healthy pregnant women (median 1.95 versus 0.39-Interquartile range 1.375 versus 0.213 - P0.001). A significant correlation was observed between PCT and hs-CRP (r=0.510; P0.031) and leucocytosis (r=0.544- P 0.013). Also IL-6 levels were significantly higher in cases of PPROM compared with control group (median 40.01 versus 5.55 - Interquartile range, 45.88 versus 4.22 P 0.001). No significant correlation was present between PCT and IL-6 Conclusion: Determination of PCT, hs-CRP and IL-6 in mother's blood sample can be useful for diagnostics of PPROM cases suspected of intrauterine infection. However PCT more valuable and specific.