The researchers belonging to the Yale School of Medicine have revealed that highly dangerous infections where pregnant women are concerned can be diagnosed through profiling particular proteins for inflammation in amniotic fluid. The chances of a premature birth taking place can also be predicted through this process, according to the researchers.
This will be presented on 2 February 2006, at the 26th Annual Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) meeting by Catalin S. Buhimschi. Fresh samples of amniotic fluid were used for the tests, according to Buhimschi, and not banked amniotic fluid, which is reported to be a significant advancement in the research. The multidisciplinary approach combines clinical neonatology and basic science.The biomarkers which indicate inflammation can be detected in a matter of 20 to 30 minutes. The microbiological culture tests take much longer than this. The pregnancy can be declared uncomplicated if the presence of biomarkers are not detected. A total of 164 samples of fresh amniotic fluid where studied from 131 patients who displayed premature labor symptoms.
Proteins were tested in amniotic fluid to detect a link between the white blood cell count, amniotic fluid glucose value, and the final outcome of the fetus. The delivery will take place within a matter of hours if there is a presence of all the inflammation biomarkers, while the presence of just two biomarkers indicate a delivery period of about four days. This method can also be utilized for detecting several other diseases.
