Diagnosis of premature rupture of the membranes in preterm patients, using an improved AFP kit: comparison with ROM-check and/or nitrazine test.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

We developed a new kit for detecting AFP in leaked amniotic fluid. Later, we developed an improved AFP kit utilizing the same anti alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) monoclonal antibody. In this study, we evaluate the clinical usefulness of this improved kit in the diagnosis of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PROM).

METHODS:

We compared this improved AFP test with the ROM-check and/or the nitrazine tests in 46 preterm patients.

RESULTS:

The ROM-check and nitrazine tests showed a diagnostic accuracy of 89.1 and 87.0%, respectively, compared with 95.7% with the improved AFP test. The sensitivity of the improved AFP test on cervical samples was significantly higher than that of the nitrazine test on vaginal samples (P < 0.05). The reaction time with the improved AFP kit test is 90 s.

CONCLUSION:

This study has confirmed a great clinical utility of the improved AFP test kit as a method of PROM diagnosis.

• Authors: T Kishida, H Yamada, H Negishi, T Sagawa, S Makinoda, S Fujimoto
• Journal: European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology (Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol) Vol. 69 Issue 2 Pg. 77-82 (Nov 1996) ISSN: 0301-2115 [Print] Ireland
• PMID: 8902437 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
• alpha-Fetoproteins

Topics

• Amniotic Fluid (chemistry, immunology)
• Antibodies, Monoclonal
• False Positive Reactions
• Female
• Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture (diagnosis)
• Humans
• Immunosorbent Techniques
• Pregnancy
• Prenatal Diagnosis (methods)
• Prospective Studies
• Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
• Reproducibility of Results
• Sensitivity and Specificity
• Time Factors
• alpha-Fetoproteins (analysis, immunology)