The Relation Between Serum Ascorbic Acid Concentration and Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes

The Relation Between Serum Ascorbic Acid Concentration and Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes

To study the association between maternal serum vitamin C concentration in women with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) and women without PPROM.

The micronutrient vitamin C is an effective water soluble antioxidant that scavenges several reactive oxygen species, thus reducing oxidative stress, It also acts as an enzymatic cofactor to the enzymes lysyl hydroxylase and prolyl hydroxylase, which is required for synthesis of hydroxyproline and hydroxylysine, Collagen requires hydroxyproline bridges across the triple helix to provide stability to it, Ascorbic acid also causes down regulation of the metalloproteinase-2 and biosynthesis of collagen where it is required for the formation of triple helical structure of collagen. Thus, ascorbic acid participates in the equilibrium between synthesis and degradation of collagen and this may be critical in reducing the occurrence of preterm PROM.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Singleton pregnancies
• Gestational age between 28-37 weeks
• Rupture of membranes will be diagnosed by history, sterile speculum examination to confirm fluid leakage from the cervical canal

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with multiple pregnancies
• Smoker
• Polyhydramnios
• Maternal diseases such as: anemia, diabetes, UTI, RTI and vaginal infection
• History of PPROM in previous pregnancies
• Evidence of chorioamnionitis in current pregnancy