Table 1.

Clinical characteristics according to the presence or absence of IAI (defined as an elevated AF MMP-8 concentration ≥23 ng/mL) in 220 patients with preterm labor and low AF WBC counts (<19 cells/mm³)

IAI, intra-amniotic inflammation; AF, amniotic fluid; MMP-8, matrix metalloproteinase-8; WBC, white blood cell; NS, not significant; GA, gestational age.

^a)Of 220 cases, 215 patients were included in this analysis, because the test of AF MMP-8 concentration was not performed in 5 cases due to the limited amount of the remaining AF; ^b)Two neonates were excluded from the analysis among 215 patients with PTL and low AF WBC counts, because they were transferred to other hospitals due to various causes. Therefore, they could not be evaluated with respect to the presence or absence of male newborn or Cesarean delivery.