[Proposal of a new test for the diagnosis of PROM based on the determination of hCG in the washing fluid of the posterior vaginal fornix]. / Proposta di un nuovo test per la diagnosi di PROM basato sul dosaggio della hCG nel liquido di lavaggio del fornice vaginale posteriore.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to determine whether or not the measurement of hCG levels in the washing fluid of the posterior vaginal fornix is useful for the diagnosis of premature rupture of membranes. METHODS: Samples were analysed from 52 normal pregnant women, divided into three groups: 20 pregnant women without rupture of membranes, 21 patients with confirmed rupture of membranes, 11 patients with suspected rupture of membranes. In order to distinguish patients of the two groups we propose a hCG cut-off value of 100 mIU/ml. RESULTS: The analysis of our data reveals that there is no overlapping between the hCG levels of the group of pregnant women without rupture of membranes and the group of patients with confirmed rupture of membranes. CONCLUSIONS: The hCG levels in the washing fluid of the posterior vaginal fornix in our experience is a useful, very cheap and non-invasive diagnostic test of PROM.