Significance of fetal fibronectin and cytokine measurement in the cervicovaginal secretions of women at term in predicting term labor and post-term pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether fetal fibronectin (FFN) or cytokine concentrations in cervicovaginal secretions can be used to predict term labor and post-term pregnancy.


METHODS
FFN and cytokines were assayed in cervicovaginal mucus from 122 pregnant women at 29-35 weeks and weekly from week 36 to parturition.


RESULTS
FFN concentrations were elevated from about 3 weeks before parturition; a correlation was found between FFN levels and sampling-to-delivery intervals. Parturition was best predicted within 7 days of sampling when the FFN value was >or=50ng/ml between 36 and 41 gestational weeks. Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) concentrations were elevated from 3 to 4 weeks before parturition; a correlation was found between IL-1beta levels and sampling-to-delivery intervals. Parturition was best predicted within 7 days of sampling, with an IL-1beta cut-off value of >or=100pg/ml.


CONCLUSIONS
Term labor and post-term pregnancy can be predicted within 7 days of sampling, using FFN and IL-1beta concentrations in cervicovaginal secretions of pregnant women.
Imai
M
M
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 1-15-1, Kitasato Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan.
Tani
A
A
Saito
M
M
Saito
K
K
Amano
K
K
Nisijima
M
M
D000328:Adult; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000378:metabolism*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005353:Fibronectins; D005865:Gestational Age; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000032:analysis; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000032:analysis; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000032:analysis; D007751:Labor, Induced; D007743:Labor, Obstetric; D008875:Middle Aged; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011273:Pregnancy, Prolonged; D012016:Reference Values; D013997:Time Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis; D014621:Vagina / Q000378:metabolism*
D016207:Cytokines; C403421:FFN protein, human; D005353:Fibronectins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016209:Interleukin-8; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha