Preterm labor - Investigations

Investigations:
Ultrasound:

to detect any defects in the fetus or in the placenta, to estimate the gestational age.
Assessment of fetal lung maturity: to plan for either continuation of pregnancy or to terminate pregnancy.
Amniotic fluid analysis: Gram stain to detect any infection in amniotic fluid.
An amniotic fluid glucose cut-off of =15 mg/dl, an LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) level =419 U/L, and/or a white blood cell count =100 cells/ml were considered suggestive of intra amniotic infection/inflammation.
IL (interleukin) 6 level >7.9 ng/ml suggest ruptured membranes.

Blood culture:
To detect any microbial invasion.
If CRP(C reactive protein) level in maternal plasma is  >0.9 ng/dl, it will suggest infection in the body.

 Urine examination, to detect urinary tract infection.

Doppler to detect fetal wellbeing.

Vaginal swab, to rule out local genital tract infection.

Preterm labor-etiologicalfactors
Preterm labor-pathogenesis and diagnosis
Preterm labor-investigations
Preterm labor-prediction
Preterm labor-complications
Preterm labor -prevention
Preterm labor-bacterialvaginosis
Preterm labor-progesterone.html
Preterm labor-cervical circlage
Pretem labor-management
Preterm labor-tocolytics
Preterm labor-with premature rupture of membranes