title: Fetal fibronectin as a selection criterion for induction of term labor.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined whether the presence of fetal fibronectin in cervicovaginal secretions can be used as a selection criterion for induction of labor at term.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cervicovaginal secretions of 64 women who were scheduled for induction of labor were examined for fetal fibronectin and divided into group A (positive for fibronectin) and group B (negative for fibronectin). Both groups were examined for Bishop score, the number of prostaglandin tablets administered, and the interval between induction of labor and delivery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In group A the interval between induction of labor and delivery was significantly shorter (p < 0.0001) than in group B. The number of prostaglandin tablets administered to group A was likewise significantly lower (p < 0.0001). Unsuccessful induction of labor only occurred in women with fibronectin-negative cervicovaginal secretions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The assessment of the fibronectin content of cervicovaginal secretions constitutes a viable instrument in the decision-making process preceding induction of labor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ahner
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Egarter
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kiss
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Heinzl
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zeillinger
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schatten
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dormeier
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Husslein
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000378:metabolism; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007751:Labor, Induced; D018579:Patient Selection; D011247:Pregnancy; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013607:Tablets; D014621:Vagina / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D005353:Fibronectins; D013607:Tablets; D015232:Dinoprostone