METHOD FOR DETECTING FREE IGFBP-1

摘要

A method and device is described for detecting fetal membrane rupture by detecting only that insulin-like growth-factor-binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1) which is free of insulin-like growth factors 1 and 2 (IGF-1 and IGF-2). The method is based on the fact that the concentration of free IGFBP-1 in the blood serum is about ten times lower than that of the IGFBP-1 bound to IGF-1 and IGF-2, while the amniotic liquid which is contained in the amnion has more than 1000 times the concentration of free IGFBP-1 than the blood serum. The device comprises a one pad (22) and two strips (24, 26) test kit which may be used to detect free IGFBP-1 in a range of concentrations from 5 ng/ml to 250 mu g/ml.