Collagen synthesis during pregnancy, vitamin C availability, and risk of premature rupture of fetal membranes

• Published in: International journal of gynecology and obstetrics Vol. 81; no. 1; pp. 29 - 34
• Main Authors: Tejero, E., Perichart, O., Pfeffer, F., Casanueva, E., Vadillo-Ortega, F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.04.2003; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Ascorbic acid; Ascorbic Acid - blood; Biological and medical sciences; Case-Control Studies; Collagen - blood; Collagen propeptides; Diseases of mother, fetus and pregnancy; Female; Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture - blood; Gestational Age; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Leukocytes - metabolism; Medical sciences; Phosphopeptides - blood; Pregnancy; Pregnancy. Fetus. Placenta; Premature rupture of membranes; Preterm labor; Procollagen; Protein C; Protein Precursors - blood; Tropical medicine; Vitamin C; Central America; Mexico; America; Preterm labor; Ascorbic acid; Collagen propeptides; Premature rupture of membranes; Vitamin C; Human; Procollagen; Pregnancy disorders; Leukocyte; Pathogenesis; Premature rupture of membrane; Case control study; Blood plasma; Collagen type I; Risk factor; Delivery disorders; Adult; Female
• ISSN: 0020-7292; 1879-3479
• DOI: 10.1016/S0020-7292(02)00400-9

Objective: To examine the relationship between plasma and leukocyte concentration of ascorbic acid and collagen type I propeptide C during pregnancy and subsequent premature rupture of membranes (PROM). Methods: Fifteen women with PROM and 26 controls were compared for plasma and leukocyte concentration of vitamin C and for Pro-C during pregnancy. Results: A statistically significant difference in maternal leukocyte ascorbic acid concentration was found between the two groups at week 28 of gestation (P50 was 16.90 for PROM group vs. 21.46 for control group; P>0.05). Increased risk for PROM (odds ratio, 10.99; 95% confidence interval, 2.40–49.91) was found with elevated concentrations of Pro-C at week 16 of gestation. Conclusions: A higher rate of collagen synthesis early in pregnancy was demonstrated in PROM cases. However, no correlation with ascorbic acid availability was found. This study supports the findings of others that collagen metabolism disturbances are associated with PROM.