Procalcitonin is more likely to be released by the fetus rather than placental tissue during chorioamnionitis

To analyze the relationship between maternal, cord blood and neonatal procalcitonin (PCT) levels in preterm deliveries with and without histologically proven chorioamnionitis (HCA).

91 mother-infant pairs from 24+0 to 33+0 gestational weeks were analyzed. Procalcitonin was measured in all mothers within 24 hours before and subsequently in cord blood and in neonates within the first two hours after delivery. PCT levels were analysed in relationship to HCA and clinical outcome.

HCA was confirmed in 28 cases (31%). We found no differences in PCT values between HCA positive and negative groups in maternal blood (0.1±0.1 vs 0.09±0.09 ng/L, P = 0.76). PCT values in cord blood and neonates were significantly higher in the HCA positive compared to HCA negative group (0.23±0.1 vs 1.2±2.7 ng/L, P < 0.001 and 0.89±3.4 vs 4.2±9.3 ng/L, P < 0.0001 respectively). PCT values in neonates were significantly higher than those of cord blood. Levels were not influenced by the mode of delivery, gestational age or premature rupture of membranes. Chorioamnionitis was more frequently associated with early onset neonatal sepsis (36% in HCA group vs 5% in non HCA group, P < 0.0001). Comparison of other clinical data revealed no differences between HCA positive and negative groups.

This study showed higher PCT in cord and neonatal blood in the presence of proven histological chorioamnionitis. The measurement of PCT in mothers' blood is not helpful for diagnosis of HCA. The changes in PCT values shown suggest its production and release by fetal tissue.