Predictive value of serum PCT, β-HCG and Npt combined detection for premature rupture of membranes and intrauterine infection

Abstract

Objective To investigate the diagnostic significance of serum procalcitonin (PCT), β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) and neopterin (Npt) combined detection for premature rupture of membranes (PROM) complicated by intrauterine infection. Methods Eighty-seven pregnant women with PROM were allocated to PROM group, and 90 normal pregnant women were chosen as control group. According to the results of pathology examination, the PROM group were divided into infected group (48 cases) and non-infection group (39 cases). Serum levels of PCT, β-HCG and Npt in all subjects were detected. Results The concentration of serum PCT [(55.98±9.71) pg/ml], β-HCG [(5.71±1.68) ng/ml] and Npt [(16.53±3.78) nmol/L]of PROM group were significantly higher than those of control group [(25.23±2.04) pg/ml, (1.40±0.51)ng/ml, (9.89±2.51)nmol/L; t=22.343, 20.185, 12.635, all P<0.01]. The concentration of serum PCT [(61.74±8.87) pg/ml], β-HCG [(7.88±1.91)ng/ml] and Npt [(18.07±4.99)nmol/L] of infected group were significantly higher than those of non-infection group [(43.89±11.46)pg/ml, (2.57±1.05)ng/ml, (13.23±3.07)nmol/L; t=-12.314, 22.069, 8.598, all P<0.01]. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of serum PCT, β-HCG and Npt combined detection (87.50%, 82.05%, 85.71%, 84.21%) were significantly higher than serum PCT, β-HCG and Npt single detection (all P<0.05). Conclusions The diagnostic significance of combined detection of serum PCT, β-HCG and Npt has important clinical value in diagnosis of PROM and intrauterine infection. Key words: Premature rupture of membranes; Procalcitonin; Intrauterine infection; Neopterin