Researchers have identified a test known as “Lac-test” which can predict whether a woman is likely to give birth if her waters break early in pregnancy.
High levels of lactate in vaginal fluid is strongly associated with onset of labour within 48 hours, according to Swedish researchers.
The test was assessed in 86 women with singleton pregnancies of 20 to 36 weeks gestation.
Among 23 women with high lactate concentrations, 87% had spontaneous onset of labour within 48 hours. In 58 women with low lactate concentrations - in effect a negative Lac-test - only 5% went into labour within 48 hours.
The researchers said previous studies had found an association between high lactate concentration in vaginal fluids and rupture of membranes in pregnancies of more than 34 weeks gestation, but this is the first time the link has been seen under 34 weeks.
UK experts said the test would help to plan care and reassure women whose membranes rupture prematurely.
Source: BBC News, 12 December 2008
Subscribe to my RSS feed for regular updates.
28 January 2009
