The response of PCT to dexamethasone treatment
PCT levels in the CON group (Fig. 2E and Table 2) increased from the baseline value of 0.024 to 0.030 ng/ml (p<0.001) when measured at 24 hours post injection, and then remained at the same level for the next 48 hours. Similarly, PCT levels in the HCA group increased from 0.040 to 0.058 ng/ml (p=0.016) 24-hours after the injection of dexamethasone. The difference was that PCT levels continued to increase in the HCA group to a peak of 0.110 ng/ml at 72 hours (p=0.001). Comparing the two groups, PCT levels in the HCA group were consistently higher than those in the CON group 72 hours after the first injection (p<0.05). These results indicate that HCA instead of dexamethasone might influence the response of PCT in PPROM women less than 34 gestational weeks. Due to this evidence, we analyzed the diagnostic values of PCT and CRP in the next step of our research.