Vaginally obtained amniotic fluid samples in the diagnosis of subclinical chorioamnionitis.

Elevated amniotic fluid lactate dehydrogenase was associated with histologic chorioamnionitis, but decreased amniotic fluid glucose was not. However, the clinical value of vaginally obtained amniotic fluid lactate dehydrogenase is limited because of high sample-to-sample variability. Better biomarkers for optimal timing of delivery in women with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes are needed.