Problem

To explore the clinical utility of nine inflammatory immune-, adhesion-, and extracellular matrix-related mediators in the plasma for predicting intraamniotic inflammation and/or microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (IAI/MIAC) and composite neonatal morbidity and/or mortality (CNMM) in women with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) when used alone or in combination with conventional blood-, ultrasound-, and clinical-based factors.

Methods of study

This retrospective cohort comprised 173 singleton pregnant women with PPROM (24 + 0 - 33 + 6 weeks), who underwent amniocentesis. Amniotic fluid was cultured for microorganisms and assayed for IL-6 levels. Plasma levels of AFP, CXCL14, E-selectin, Gal-3BP, kallistatin, progranulin, P-selectin, TGFBI, and VDBP were determined by ELISA. Ultrasonographic cervical length (CL) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were measured.

Results

Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed significant associations between (i) decreased plasma kallistatin levels and IAI/MIAC and (ii) decreased plasma progranulin levels and increased CNMM risk after adjusting for baseline variables (e.g., gestational age at sampling [or delivery] and parity). Using stepwise regression analysis, noninvasive prediction models for IAI/MIAC and CNMM risks were developed, which included plasma progranulin levels, NLR, CL, and gestational age at sampling, and provided a good prediction of the corresponding endpoints (area under the curve: 0.79 and 0.87, respectively).

Conclusions

Kallistatin and progranulin are potentially valuable plasma biomarkers for predicting IAI/MIAC and CNMM in women with PPROM. Particularly, the combination of these plasma biomarkers with conventional blood-, ultrasound-, and clinical-based factors can significantly support the diagnosis of IAI/MIAC and CNMM.