Nonintrusive Diagnosis of Premature Ruptured Amniotic Membranes Using a Novel Polymer

ABSTRACT

This article describes the evaluation of the diagnostic efficacy of AL-SENSE panty-liner in detecting premature rupture of membranes (PROM). One hundred and three women attending the labor and delivery ward were enrolled into three groups: women presenting with a vaginal leak of fluid who had not yet been examined; women with overt PROM, and women with no fluid leak. The result of the AL-SENSE strip test was compared with the clinical diagnosis, which was based on direct visualization of the posterior vaginal fornix and cervix, crystallization, and nitrazine tests. AL-SENSE panty-liner test had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 75% in detecting PROM, with an overall agreement of 82.35% between the AL-SENSE test result and the clinical diagnosis. AL-SENSE may be used as a reliable test to rule out PROM and as an effective device to diagnose PROM and differentiate it from urine leak and vulvovaginal candidiasis.

KEYWORDS

Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) - diagnosis - chorioamnionitis - polymer - panty-liner - pH - nitrazine - ferning - AL-SENSE

REFERENCES

• 1 Mercer B M. Preterm premature rupture of the membranes: current approaches to evaluation and managment.  Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2005;  32 411-428
• 2 Bennett S L, Cullen J B, Sherer D M, Woods Jr J R. The ferning and nitrazine tests of amniotic fluid between 12 and 41 weeks gestation.  Am J Perinatol. 1993;  10 101-104
• 3 Mercer B M. Preterm premature rupture of the membranes: diagnosis and management.  Clin Perinatol. 2004;  31 765-782
• 4 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists . ACOG practice bulletin. Premature rupture of membranes. Clinical management guidelines for obstetrician-gynecologists.  Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 1998;  63 75-84
• 5 Lewis D F, Major C A, Towers C V et al.. Effects of digital vaginal examinations on latency period in preterm premature rupture of membranes.  Obstet Gynecol. 1992;  80 630-634
• 6 Alexander J M, Mercer B M, Miodovnik M et al.. The impact of digital cervical examination on expectantly managed preterm rupture of membranes.  Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2000;  183 1003-1007