Serum endocan level as a predictor of chorioamnionitis among pregnant women with preterm premature rupture of fetal membranes at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

Chorioamnionitis is associated with maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Inflammatory biomarkers such as endocan are said to be increased in chorioamnionitis. This study aimed to determine the predictive value of serum endocan as a biomarker for chorioamnionitis among pregnant women. A prospective longitudinal study conducted in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. Ninety-five pregnant women with Preterm Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes (PPROM) were recruited for the study. The serum endocan level of each participant was assessed on admission and analysed. The women were followed up to delivery and monitored for clinical signs of chorioamnionitis. At delivery, another sample was taken to assess the serum endocan level. Data was collected and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. Data were expressed as frequencies and percentages for qualitative variables. The quantitative variables underwent normality testing using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Student T test was used to compare continuous variables, and Chi-square test/Fisher’s exact test was used to compare categorical variables, and p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. The incidence of histological chorioamnionitis in pregnant women with PPROM in AKTH was found to be 38%. The median serum endocan levels were found to be higher in pregnant women with PPROM and histological chorioamnionitis than those with PPROM only, but there was no statistically significant difference (p=0.582). The findings have shown that serum endocan is not a good biomarker for detecting chorioamnionitis in pregnant women with PPROM.