Prospective randomized controlled trial of fetal fibronectin on preterm labor management in a tertiary care center.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the rapid fetal fibronectin on the length of hospital stay and the use of preterm labor interventions in a tertiary care center.


METHODS
Women who were seen in the Labor and Delivery Unit with symptoms of preterm labor were assigned randomly to receive fetal fibronectin (n=46 women) or to preterm labor management without fetal fibronectin (n=51 women). Physicians were not blinded to the result; groups were compared.


RESULTS
There was no difference between groups in demographic or obstetric characteristics, the hours spent in labor and delivery, the number of women who were admitted to the antepartum service, the length of stay, or medical interventions. When the results for women with a negative fetal fibronectin test were compared to women with a positive fetal fibronectin test, a significant difference was found in admissions to the antepartum service (P=.032) and the length of stay (P=.008).


CONCLUSIONS
A negative fetal fibronectin test was associated with fewer admissions to the antepartum ward and a shorter length of stay.
Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
M Patrick
MP
Lowe
Bridget
B
Zimmerman
Wendy
W
Hansen
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005353:Fibronectins; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
C403421:FFN protein, human; D005353:Fibronectins; D006023:Glycoproteins