Prediction of cervical response to prostaglandin E2 using fetal fibronectin.
BACKGROUND
To determine whether presence of fetal fibronectin in cervico-vaginal secretions at term will predict the cervical response to prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) pessaries and successful induction of labor amongst subjects with unfavorable cervices.


METHODS
Cervico-vaginal secretion was tested for the presence of fetal fibronectin prior to cervical ripening with PGE2 pessaries in women with a singleton term or post-term pregnancy undergoing induction of labor. The total number of PGE2 pessaries, interval from induction to labor and induction to delivery, latent phase and active phase of labor and cesarean section rate were compared.


RESULTS
Women with fetal fibronectin in their cervico-vaginal secretion had better cervical response to PGE2 pessaries and required fewer doses for induction of labor and they took a shorter time interval from induction to delivery. They tend to have a lower cesarean section rate but the figures did not reach statistical significance.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of fetal fibronectin from cervico-vaginal secretions in subjects with a Bishop score <5 is predictive of a favorable response to induction by prostaglandin pessary
Tam
W H
WH
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong.
Tai
S M
SM
Rogers
M S
MS
D000328:Adult; D020070:Cervical Ripening / Q000187:drug effects; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D002585:Cesarean Section; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007751:Labor, Induced; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010570:Pessaries; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014621:Vagina / Q000378:metabolism
D005353:Fibronectins; D010120:Oxytocics; D015232:Dinoprostone