Fulltext

Procalcitonin levels during pregnancy, delivery and postpartum

Paccolat, Céline ; Harbarth, Stephan ; Courvoisier, Delphine ; Irion, Olivier ; de Tejada, Begoña Martinez

In: Journal of Perinatal Medicine, 2011, vol. 39, no. 6, p. 679-683

Add to personal list
    Title
    • Procalcitonin levels during pregnancy, delivery and postpartum
    Author
    • Paccolat, Céline. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Geneva Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
    • Harbarth, Stephan. Infection Control Program, University of Geneva Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
    • Courvoisier, Delphine. Division of Clinical Epidemiology, University of Geneva Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
    • Irion, Olivier. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Geneva Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
    • de Tejada, Begoña Martinez. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Geneva Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
    Document Type
    • Postprint
    Language
    • English
    Published in
    • Journal of Perinatal Medicine, 2011, vol. 39, no. 6, p. 679-683. Walter de Gruyter
    Other Version
    OAI-PMH Identifier
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:292124
    Summary
    Aims: To determine the normal value ranges of procalcitonin (PCT) in women with uncomplicated pregnancies. Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted between May 2009 and February 2010 among 60 women without signs of clinical infection (31 vaginal deliveries, 29 cesarean sections) attending the maternity unit of the University of Geneva Hospitals. Sequential follow-up of PCT levels was performed at 24-28 weeks (n=7), 36-40 weeks (n=60), at delivery (n=59), and at days 2-3 (n=58) and 10 (n=53) postpartum using a sensitive PCT assay with a functional sensitivity of 0.06 μg/L. Results: Median levels of PCT were: 24-28 weeks: 0.043 μg/L (range 0.010-0.080); 36-40 weeks: 0.061 μg/L (range 0.010-0.110); at delivery: 0.068 μg/L (range 0.010-0.170); days 2-3: 0.200 μg/L (range 0.030-5.00); and day 10: 0.060 μg/L (range 0.020-0.120). At days 2-3 postpartum, three women had a PCT level between 0.25 μg/L and 0.5 μg/L and two women had a level higher than 0.5 μg/L. Conclusions: This study provides reference values for PCT during the third trimester, at delivery and at the immediate postpartum period. A cut-off PCT level of 0.25 μg/L can be used during the third trimester, at delivery, and at the immediate postpartum period to rule out infection