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Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of the TDx-FLM fluorescence polarization assay on vaginal pool fluid in patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). Methods: A prospective matched-pairs study was performed at a tertiary care center. For each patient enrolled, amniotic fluid samples were obtained by sterile speculum examination and by amniocentesis within 12 h of each other. Inclusion criteria were the presence of PPROM and a gestational age of 30-36 weeks. The samples were analyzed separately using the TDx-FLM assay in the same laboratory. The results were compared using a paired Student t test. Results: A total of 16 patients received both amniocentesis and vaginal collection of amniotic fluid. The mean gestational age at amniocentesis was 33.3 weeks (SD 1.9). In every case, the vaginal pool TDx-FLM result was lower than the amniocentesis result. The mean difference in the assays between the two fluid sources was 35% (range 17-63%, p < 0.001). Amniocentesis suggested a mature result in 12 cases (75%), an indeterminate result in two cases (12.5%), and an immature result in two cases (12.5%). Vaginal pool fluid suggested a mature result in four cases (25%), an indeterminate result in nine cases (56%), and an immature result in three cases (19%). Using the cut-off values validated for amniocentesis specimens as a standard for comparison, vaginal pool TDx-FLM assay had 42% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% positive predictive value and 36% negative predictive value for predicting lung maturity. Conclusions: The TDx-FLM assay on vaginal pool samples of amniotic fluid yielded results that were significantly different from those of amniocentesis samples. At this point, the assay is only clinically useful for vaginal pool samples when a mature result is obtained.