Vitamin C status, cervico-vaginal infection and premature rupture of amniotic membranes
Casanueva, E.; Avila-Rosas, H.; Polo, E.; Tejero, E.; Narcio-Reyes, M.L.; Pfeffer, F.
Archives of Medical Research 26 Spec No: S149-S152
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0188-4409 PMID: 8845640 Document Number: 454678
The role of vitamin C and cervico-vaginal infection in the premature rupture of amniotic membranes (PROM) was investigated in a prospective study. Ascorbic acid concentrations were measured in leukocytes from 46 women (28.1+or-7.0 years old; not consuming vitamin supplements) at week 20, 28 and 32 of pregnancy. Cervico-vaginal infections were detected by clinical evaluation and vaginal exudate culture and treated if present. There were no differences in ascorbic acid concentration between week 20, 28 and 32 but there was a trend for concentrations to be lowest at week 20. Ascorbic acid concentrations at week 20 were predictive for PROM (odds ratio 6.75; 95% confidence interval 1.26-36.03; P<0.05) but not at week 28 or 32. 60% of women had no cervico-vaginal infection. 24% of women had PROM. There was no correlation between cervico-vaginal infection and PROM.