title: Cervicovaginal foetal fibronectin in the prediction of preterm labour in a low-risk population.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of cervicovaginal fibronectin as a screening test in a low-risk population. Swabs were taken from the posterior fornix at 28 weeks gestation and foetal fibronectin levels were assayed using enzyme immunoassay. Eighteen patients (7.7%) delivered at less than 37 weeks of gestation, and 6 (2.4%) at less than 34 weeks of gestation. Five patients (2.1%) had a positive fibronectin test result. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value in the prediction of delivery less than 37 weeks of gestation were 16.7%, 99.1%, 60.0% and 93.4%, respectively. The sensitivity of foetal fibronectin in the prediction of delivery less than 34 weeks of gestation was higher (50%) compared with the prediction of delivery less than 37 weeks of gestation (16.7%). The low sensitivity of this test suggests a limited role for cervicovaginal fibronectin in the low-risk population. Further studies need to be carried out to assess whether multiple testing of cervicovaginal fibronectin at different gestational ages will further increase the sensitivity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Chew
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pang
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Yeo
mesh_terms: D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014621:Vagina / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D005353:Fibronectins