Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2000 May;43(5):885-890.

The relationship between amniotic fluid white blood cell count and the presence and severity of acute placental inflammation in preterm premature rupture of membrane

• Kim JC
• Yoon BH

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Acute inflammatory lesions in the placenta is one of the most common histopathologic lesions of women with preterm premature rupture of membrane. But there is a few scientific evidence to support the association between amniotic fluid white blood cell count and the presence and severity of acute placental inflammation in preterm premature rupture of membrane. To evaluate the relationship between amniotic fluid white blood cell count and the presence and severity of acute placental inflammatory lesions in preterm premature rupture of membrane.
METHODS
The relationship between amniotic fluid white blood cell count and placental histologic finding was examined in 89 consecutive patients who were admitted with the diagnosis of preterm premature rupture of membrane and who delivered singleton gestation within 3 days.
RESULTS
The prevalence of acute histologic chorioamnionitis was 68.5%(61/89) and that of positive amniotic fluid culture was 32.6%(29/89). The prevalence of positive amniotic fluid culture increased according to the higher severity of inflammation in each type of placental section(p<0.05 for each). The median amniotic fluid white blood cell count increased significantly according to the presence and higher severity of inflammation in each type of placental section(p<0.01 for each). The median amniotic fluid white blood cell count increased significantly according to the higher total grade of inflammation in placental histologic examination(p<0.01).
CONCLUSION
Both the presence and higher severity of acute histologic chorioamnionitis are associated with an elevated amniotic fluid white blood cell count. The total grade of acute histologic chorioamnionitis is associated with an elevated amniotic fluid white blood cell count. Amniotic fluid white blood cell count is a reliable prenatal marker of histologic chorioamnionitis."

Keyword

Histologic chorioamnionitis; preterm premature rupture of membrane; amniotic fluid white blood cell count

MeSH Terms

Amniotic Fluid*
Chorioamnionitis
Diagnosis
Female
Humans
Inflammation*
Leukocyte Count*
Leukocytes*
Membranes*
Placenta
Pregnancy
Prevalence
Rupture*