Nonintrusive diagnosis of premature ruptured amniotic membranes using a novel polymer

Am J Perinatol. 2006 Aug;23(6):351-4. doi: 10.1055/s-2006-947159. Epub 2006 Jul 13.

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.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Amniotic Fluid / chemistry*
  • Azo Compounds*
  • Female
  • Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture / diagnosis*
  • Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture / pathology
  • Humans
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Diagnosis*
  • Reagent Strips*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Azo Compounds
  • Reagent Strips
  • nitrazine yellow