ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of interleukin-6 bedside test in vaginal secretions for neonatal infections, histologic chorioamnionitis and neonatal acidemia in pregnant ladies with prelabor premature rupture of membranes above 34 weeks. The study was a prospective clinical study performed on 50 patients with prelabor premature rupture of membranes above 34 weeks. Interleukin-6 in vaginal secretions was determined in less than 20 minutes by and immunochromatographic bedside test. A positive strong correlation was present between vaginal interleukin-6 and each of the three parameters [p=0.000]: histologic chorioamnionitits [r=0.561], early onset neonatal infection [r=0.836], and umbilical pH [r=0.723]. The test showed sensitivity [87.5%, 72.7%, 95%], specificity [88.4%, 84.6%, 80%], positive predictive value [87.5%, 80%, 90.4%] and negative predictive value [88.4%, 78.5%, 96.4%] respectively. Vaginal interleukin-6 represents an effective bedside test for the screening and prediction of early on set neonatal infection, histologic chorioamnionitis and neonatal acidemia in premature prelabor rupture of membranes