VITAMIN-C AND PREMATURE RUPTURE OF CHORIOAMNIOTIC MEMBRANES

Premature rupture of membranes (FROM) has been linked to the socioecon omic status of the population, being more frequent in the most deprive d populations. In Mexico, the prevalence of FROM is estimated to be ap proximately 10% and it has been considered to be a leading maternal ca use of neonatal mortality. The main objectives of this study were to i dentify the principal causes of FROM, to consider different levels of organization - epidemiological, clinical, cellular, subcellular, to de sign preventive strategies, and to consider the nutritional status esp ecially vitamin C levels and cervico-vaginal infections as the main pr edictive factors of FROM. In cultured cells, we evaluated the role of vitamin C in the synthesis and degradation of collages types I, III an d X. At the clinical level, dietary intake and plasma and leukocyte vi tamin C concentration was assessed in pregnant women and correlated wi th the occurrence of FROM. Vitamin C was found to be related to the sy nthesis/degradation of collagen in culture cells. The presence of infe ction decreases vitamin C reserves. Vitamin C reserve as judged by its levels in leukocytes at 28-32 weeks of pregnancy has a predictive val ue in relation to PROM > (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.