[Value of fetal fibronectin research for predicting premature delivery].
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the performance of the foetal fibronectin test as a predictor of preterm delivery.


METHODS
This prospective study concern 61 patients who had a singleton pregnancy between 24 and 36 weeks of gestation and were hospitalized because of a threatened preterm labor without premature rupture of the membranes. For each patient the presence of foetal fibronectin in cervicovaginal secretions was determined with a rapid swab-test.


RESULTS
Prematurity rate was 38% (23 patients). In case of positive result, delivery became before 37 weeks in 75% (12/16) against 24% in case of negative result (11/45). The prolongation of pregnancy after the test was on average 21 days in the positive group and 44 days in the negative group. About the prediction of preterm delivery, the results showed a sensibility of 52%, a specificity of 89%, a positive predictive value of 75%, a negative predictive value of 76%. To predict a delivery within the two weeks after the test, the sensibility was 88%, the specificity 83%, and the negative predictive value 98%.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of foetal fibronectin in cervicovaginal secretions represent an increased risk of preterm delivery, whereas its excellent negative predictive value allow to be reassuring, especially within a period of 15 days.
Closset
E
E
Maternité de l'Hôpital Jeanne de Flandre, CHRU de Lille, 59037 Lille, France.
Dufour
P
P
Coeugnet
C
C
Subtil
D
D
Valat
A S
AS
Puech
F
F
D000328:Adult; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005353:Fibronectins; D005865:Gestational Age; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014621:Vagina / Q000378:metabolism
C403421:FFN protein, human; D005353:Fibronectins; D006023:Glycoproteins
Intérêt de la recherche de fibronectine foetale pour la prédiction de l'accouchement prématuré.