A rapid colorimetric AFP monoclonal antibody test for the diagnosis of preterm rupture of the membranes.

Premature rupture of the membranes is a common and serious complication of pregnancy. Despite the prevalence and severity of sequelae, current diagnostic techniques are less than ideal. We studied 48 women with preterm rupture of the membranes with a rapid, colorimetric monoclonal alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) antibody test. Sensitivity was 98% for AFP testing compared to 77% for nitrazine and 62% for ferning. The differences in sensitivity were greater when membranes were ruptured for longer than 12 hours. In all 31 patients without rupture of the membranes, AFP testing was negative. Neither urine nor semen affected AFP testing, whereas blood did. Alpha-fetoprotein testing may be a significant addition to current methods in the diagnosis of preterm rupture of the membranes.