title: [Predictive value of fetal fibronectin for preterm labor].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated fetal fibronectin levels for the diagnosis of preterm labor.
  
  
  METHODS
  We included 74 randomized patients who were admitted with the diagnosis of preterm labor. Cervical and vaginal fluid samples were washed in buffer solution prior to the introduction of a reactive strip. Results were interpreted after 10 sec. Patients with negative tests were admitted and followed up. Patients who tested positive were treated according to the protocols of each hospital. Finally, the specificity, sensitivity, predictive value, and odds ratio were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results showed specificity, 90%; sensitivity, 70%; positive predictive value, 64%; negative predictive value, 78%; and odds ratio, 22; 50% were first pregnancies with gestational ages between 22 and 34 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We consider that a positive fibronectin test is a useful, low-cost, and reliable tool for diagnosing preterm labor.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Nicolás San Juan, ISEM.
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gómez-Bravo Topete
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Castillo-Lechuga
authors.forename: Alvaro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Villegas-Su
authors.forename: Jesús Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Briones-Garduño
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002584:Cervix Uteri; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000032:analysis; D005865:Gestational Age; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010298:Parity; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: C403421:FFN protein, human; D005353:Fibronectins; D006023:Glycoproteins