Homocystine as a Diagnostic Marker for Preterm Labor.

Abstrak

Preterm labor poses significant risks to maternal, fetal, and neonatal health worldwide, with elevated homocysteine levels identified as a potential marker for its diagnosis. This case-control study conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, AL-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital, included 90 pregnant women divided into two groups: 40 with threatened preterm labor (group A) and 50 without signs of labor (group B). Serum homocysteine levels were measured using ELISA, revealing a significantly higher mean level in the preterm group (1.769±0.687 nmol/ml) compared to controls (0.810±0.261 nmol/ml) (p=0.001). At a cutoff point of 1.096 nmol/ml, homocysteine exhibited a sensitivity of 80%, specificity of 86.4%, positive predictive value of 84.3%, and accuracy of 83% for predicting preterm labor. This study underscores the potential of homocysteine measurement as a screening tool in conjunction with other tests to identify high-risk patients for preterm labor, thus aiding in timely interventions and improved maternal and neonatal outcomes.

Kata Kunci