Fetal fibronectin and bacterial vaginosis are associated with preterm birth in women who are symptomatic for preterm labor.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to codify the relationship between bacterial vaginosis/fetal fibronectin and preterm labor/birth.


METHODS
In this prospective study, 185 women who were symptomatic for preterm labor were assessed for bacterial vaginosis and fetal fibronectin.


RESULTS
These women comprised 4 groups: group A (n=23 women; +bacterial vaginosis/+fetal fibronectin); group B (n=31 women; -bacterial vaginosis/+fetal fibronectin); group C (n=47 women; +bacterial vaginosis/-fetal fibronectin); and group D (n=84 women; -bacterial vaginosis/-fetal fibronectin). The time interval from gestational age at testing until delivery was significantly shorter for groups A and B versus groups C and D (P < or =.05 and P <.001, respectively). Similarly, delivery at <32 weeks of gestation was increased in group B (26%) compared with groups A (9%), C (2%), and D (5%; P <.009; odds ratio, 165.90; 95% CI, 30.02, 916.08).


CONCLUSIONS
Women who are symptomatic for preterm labor should be considered for fetal fibronectin and bacterial vaginosis testing.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, USA.
Amy O
AO
Stevens
Suneet P
SP
Chauhan
Everett F
EF
Magann
Rick W
RW
Martin
James A
JA
Bofill
Julie L
JL
Cushman
John C
JC
Morrison
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005353:Fibronectins; D005865:Gestational Age; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*
D015415:Biomarkers; C403421:FFN protein, human; D005353:Fibronectins; D006023:Glycoproteins