Comparison of term and preterm labor procalcitonin and leukocyte cell volume, conductivity and light scatter (VCS) parameters in order to demonstrate the impact of inflammation on the triggering mechanisms of preterm uterin contractions

Abstract

Aim: Comparison of mean channels of cell volume, conductivity and light scatter (VCS) parameters of neutrophil, monocyte and lymphocyte, procalcitonin (PCT) and white blood cell count (WBC) during term and preterm labor to evaluate the impact of inflammation on the triggering mechanisms of uterine contractions.

Methods: This study is consisted of 16 preterm and 60 term pregnancies at the beginning of the first stages of the labor. Leukocyte VCS parameters, PCT plasma levels and WBC count were evaluated.

Results: We could not demonstrate statistically significant difference in between leukocyte VCS parameters in preterm and term deliveries (P ˃ 0.050 for all). WBC counts were 10.6 and 11.8 × 10³ /μL in the preterm and term groups respectively (P = 0.270). PCT levels were 0.04 and 0.03 ng/mL for preterm and term pregnancies (P = 0.062).

Conclusion: Inflammation related markers such as leukocyte VCS parameters, PCT values and WBC count does not differentiate at the first stage of labor in preterm and term deliveries. These variables do not seem to have a prominent role at the biological events behind preterm contractions.

Keywords: VCS; leukocyte VCS parameters; pregnancy; preterm birth; procalcitonine; white blood cell.