RESUMO
Alpha - 1 antitrypsin is a natural trypsin inhibitor that is assumed to play a role in preventing PROM. The present study aims at investigating the role of amniotic fluid alpha-1 antitrypsin in PROM. Fifty-seven pregnant women participated in this work. They were classified into 3 groups: Group I comprised 29 pregnant women [30.2 +/- 2.8 weeks] with preterm PROM, group II comprised 18 pregnant women [31.3 +/- 3.2 weeks] with preterm labor but with no PROM and group III comprised 19 pregnant women [34.3 +/- 0.3 weeks] with no preterm labor or PROM. All amniotic fluid samples were obtained by amniocentesis under ultrasound guidance. Amniotic fluid alpha-1 antittypsin was determined by single radial immunodiffusion technique. Amniotic fluid samples were cultured for gram positive and gram negative pathogens.Results of data analysis indicated that amniotic fluid alpha-1 antitrypsin values were significantly lower [P < 0.05] in cases with PROM [9.3 + 10.5 mg/d/] compared with those without PROM, whether having preterm labor [26.9 +/- 8.4 mg/d/] or not [29.8 -15.02 mg/d/]. No significant difference was detected between cases with preterm labor and no PROM and those without either preterm labor or PROM [P > 0.05]. No significant difference was detected between cases with positive cultures [9.94 + 2.39 mg/d/] and those with negative cultures [8.89 +/- 3.38 mg/d/] [P > 0.05]. These data indicate that deficiency of amniotic fluid alpha- 1 antitrypsin may be a major contributor to PROM