Fetal fibronectin improves the accuracy of diagnosis of preterm labor

Article Abstract:

Fetal fibronectin in the cervicovaginal area may accurately predict childbirth within seven days. Fetal fibronectin is a type of protein in the fetal membranes. Finding fetal fibronectin in vaginal and cervical fluid during the second half of pregnancy designates rare abnormal functioning of the maternal-fetal interaction. Researchers evaluated cotton swab samples of cervicovaginal fluid in 192 pregnant women. The gestational age ranged from 24 to 34 weeks and the average age of the mothers was 25 years. A total of 62 children were born before term. The fluid of 45 women contained fibronectin which lead to especially increased delivery rates in less than seven days. The fibronectin factor was superior to other indicators of impending premature labor, such as cervical dilation above 1 centimeter and regular contractions. Both contractions and dilation can occur spontaneously without resulting in early labor, while fibronectin may be a single unique identifier of the risk of premature delivery. In addition, it may become easier to select patients in need of tocolytic drugs that stop contractions in the uterus.

Medical examination, Premature labor, Vagina

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Fetal fibronectin in vaginal specimens predicts preterm delivery and very-low-birth-weight infants

Article Abstract:

Preterm delivery and delivery of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants may be predicted by the presence in vaginal fluid of fetal fibronectin. Researchers analyzed vaginal fluid from 112 women with symptoms of preterm labor but minimally dilated cervices and intact membranes. Fetal fibronectin was found in samples of vaginal fluid from 34 patients, and correctly predicted preterm delivery before 37 weeks' gestation in 27 women (79.4%). Women with fetal fibronectin in vaginal fluid were more likely to give birth to VLBW infants. Fetal fibronectin was the only significant predictor of premature delivery and of VLBW. Three infants died among women with fetal fibronectin in vaginal fluid. Testing women with symptoms of preterm labor for the presence of fetal fibronectin may allow treatment to be targeted to those who need it most.

Risk factors, Physiological aspects, Birth weight, Low, Low birth weight

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Value of fetal fibronectin as a predictor of preterm delivery for a low-risk population

Article Abstract:

Finding no fetal fibronectin in cervical secretions appears to be strongly associated with full-term birth in a population of women at low-risk for premature delivery, but its presence may not necessarily predict premature delivery. Researchers periodically tested for fetal fibronectin between 24 and 34 weeks gestation in 108 women at low risk for premature birth. Eight women had a spontaneous premature birth. A negative fibronectin test corrected predicted 97% of full-term births while a positive test only correctly predicted one-third of premature births.

Measurement

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