Hajira Masood, Saima Ashraf, Humaira Siddique, Muhammad Masood, Muhammad Sajjad Masood.
Role of PH and Leukocyte Count in Prediction of Preterm Labour.
Med Forum Jan ;2(8):2-4.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the significance of pH and leukocyte count in the prediction of preterm labour. Study Design: Case control study. Place and Duration: This study was carried out at Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Nishtar Hospital Multan from from 01-04-2008 to 30-09-2008 and 01-11-2008 to 01-05-2009. Materials and Methods: Women seeking antenatal care at outpatient department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Nishtar Hospital Multan between 22-28 weeks of gestation with singleton pregnancy were enrolled in this study. Vaginal pH was measured using a pH paper and leukocyte count by making a slide of vaginal secretions from posterior fornix and were sent to pathologist for counting number of leukocytes. Women with high pH and leukocyte count were enrolled to group A (cases) and those having normal pH were included in the group B (controls). These women were followed till delivery and the number of women going into preterm labour were counted and matched with the results of pH and leukocyte counts. Results: Mean age was 25.80±48 years in cases and 24.61±0.56 years in controls. Low socioeconomic status was evident in 43(61.43%) cases and 34(48.57%) controls, while 27(38.57%) case and 36(51.43%) controls had middle socioeconomic status. Preterm labour was observed in 42(60%) cases and 7(10%) controls, while preterm premature rupture of membrane was evident in 30(42.86%) cases and 9(12.86%) controls. Mode of delivery was vaginal in 44(62.86%) cases and 54(77.14) controls. 26(37.14%) cases and 16(22.86%) controls had lower segment caesarean section. Conclusion: Significantly more number of women with elevated pH and leukocyte count likely to have preterm delivery.

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