The utility of maternal serum endocan level to predict preterm delivery within seven days in patients with threatened preterm labor

Abstract

© 2019, © 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.Objective: The aim of the current study was to determine serum endocan levels in patients with threatened preterm labor and to assign whether endocan levels in patients with true preterm labor who give birth within 7 days differ from those of false preterm labor and uncomplicated pregnancy. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 58 patients diagnosed with threatened preterm labor and 31 healthy pregnant women matched for gestational age. Patients with threatened preterm labor were divided into two groups; preterm delivery (28) and term delivery (30) groups. Maternal serum endocan levels were measured with the use of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Results: The median serum endocan level (pg/mL) in patients with threatened preterm labor was significantly higher than that of women with uncomplicated pregnancies (725, IQR 619–823 versus 310, IQR 218–423; p .05). Conclusions: The maternal serum endocan level may be a useful marker to define high risk group for preterm delivery in patients with threatened preterm labor and similar cervical length measures.