Comparison of maternal CRP with WBC count in predicting intra-amniotic infection in premature rupture of membranes

Abstract

Background: To evaluate the usefulness of maternal CRP and WBC count in diagnosing intra-amniontic infection in the preclinical stage in women with prelabor rupture of membranes. Methods: This prospective study was conducted in the department of obstetrics & gynaecology at CSSH, Meerut over a period of two years (2014-2016). 100 women were included in the study as subjects, of which 50 had ruptured membranes before labor and 50 were gestational age matched controls with intact membranes. After informed consent, maternal blood and serum for White blood cells (WBC) Count and CRP evaluation was obtained in subjects with evident leaking of amniotic fluid vaginally and also in subjects acting as control group. Intra-amniotic infection was confirmed by obtaining amniotic fluid vaginally and subjecting it for aerobic and anaerobic culture. Results: The sensitivity and specificity of maternal CRP was 83.33% and 80.76% respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of WBC count in predicting intra-amniotic infection was 64.86% and 58.73% respectively. Conclusion: Present study concluded that CRP is a reliable diagnostic marker than WBC count for predicting intra-amniotic infection in pregnancies complicated with rupture of membranes.