Cervico-vaginal fetal fibronectin: predictive value during false labor.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose was to determine to what extent fetal fibronectin was a discriminative test of preterm delivery in patients hospitalized for uterine contractions without modification of the cervix.


METHODS
The prospective double-blind study included patients hospitalized between 24 and 34 week for false labor. Cervicovaginal swabs were obtained and assayed for the presence of fetal fibronectin by means of a monoclonal antibody assay.


RESULTS
Out of the 61 patients included, 18 showed a positive swab. The correlation of a positive result with preterm delivery revealed a sensitivity of 56%, a specificity of 81%, and positive and negative predictive values of 56% and 81% respectively. Meta-analysis of studies published shows that the presence of fibronectin represents a significant relative risk of 3.3 (IC: 2.5-42) of preterm delivery.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of fetal fibronectin in cervicovaginal secretions of patients presenting with false labor indicates a major risk of preterm delivery.
Langer
B
B
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology II, Hautepierre Hospital, Strasbourg, France.
Boudier
E
E
Schlaeder
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000737:chemistry*; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D014621:Vagina / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D005353:Fibronectins