Latex agglutination test for alpha-fetoprotein in the diagnosis of premature rupture of the amniotic membranes (PROM).

A rapid latex agglutination test for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was compared with a pH-indicator and patient history in the detection of premature rupture of the amniotic membranes. Of 120 patients examined, 34 had an established rupture of the membranes, and 56 had suspected rupture. Thirty patients had no evidence of membrane rupture. The vaginal content was examined with a pH-indicator. Samples of vaginal content were also obtained to perform the latex agglutination test, and 103 of these samples were analysed by a radio-immunoassay (RIA) technique for AFP. Our results indicate that the latex agglutination test is of doubtful value due to the many inconclusive test results. The sensitivity of the latex test is less than 15%, and the specificity is 80%. Patient history combined with pH-indicator test is far more informative than the latex agglutination test.