title: Fetal fibronectin is more valuable than ultrasonographic examination of the cervix or Bishop score in predicting successful induction of labor.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare fetal fibronectin (fFN) assessment, ultrasound parameters, and Bishop score in the prediction of successful induction of labor at term when cervix is unfavorable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-three nulliparous women undergoing labor induction at term with Bishop score less than 5 were enrolled in this study. Successful labor induction was defined as vaginal delivery occurring within 24 hours of initiation of induction. fFN obtained from vaginal secretion was measured by immunoassay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients who delivered within 24 hours (n = 33) differed significantly from the remaining patients by a positive fFN (84.8% vs. 15.2%, p = 0.002). The mean cervical length or Bishop scores were not statistically different between women who delivered vaginally before 24 hours of induction and those who did not (28.9 mm vs. 27.9 mm, p = 0.468 and 3.3 vs. 3.2, p = 0.928, respectively). Binary logistic regression analysis showed only the fFN immunoassay to be an independent statistically significant predictor of vaginal delivery within 24 hours of induction (odds ratio 6.168; 95% confidence interval 1.897-20.059; p = 0.002). A positive fibronectin assay had a sensitivity and specificity of 84.9% and 50%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In cases with unfavorable cervix, presence of vaginal fFN predicts the success of labor induction.
authors.affiliation: Zekai Tahir Burak Women Health Care, Research and Education Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Dilek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Uygur
authors.affiliation: Zekai Tahir Burak Women Health Care, Research and Education Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. Electronic address: sevalerdinc@gmail.com.
authors.forename: A Seval
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Ozgu-Erdinc
authors.affiliation: Zekai Tahir Burak Women Health Care, Research and Education Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ruya
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Deveer
authors.affiliation: Zekai Tahir Burak Women Health Care, Research and Education Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Aytan
authors.affiliation: Zekai Tahir Burak Women Health Care, Research and Education Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: M Tamer
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Mungan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D054791:Cervical Length Measurement; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007751:Labor, Induced; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D047929:Term Birth; D014621:Vagina / Q000737:chemistry*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C403421:FFN protein, human; D005353:Fibronectins
keywords: Bishop score; fetal fibronectin; labor induction; prediction; transvaginal sonography