Fetal fibronectin as a selection criterion for induction of term labor.
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.
Ahner
R
R
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Vienna, Austria.
Egarter
C
C
Kiss
H
H
Heinzl
K
K
Zeillinger
R
R
Schatten
C
C
Dormeier
A
A
Husslein
P
P
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
D015415:Biomarkers; D005353:Fibronectins; D013607:Tablets; D015232:Dinoprostone