fetal fibronectin in cervical-vaginal fluid

Indications: - assessment of risk of preterm delivery Reference interval: - < 50 ng/mL Clinical significance: - an increase level is associated with a 2-4 fold risk of preterm delivery - a negative test following a positive one decreases the risk - 2 negative tests following a positite test reduces the risk to baseline - the majority of women with positive tests will repair placental disruptions & successfully continue the pregnancy Increases: - increased risk of preterm delivery Specimen: - obtain specimen from the cervix/vagina with a swab at 24-30 weeks of gestation

References

-Clinical Guide to Laboratory Tests, 4th edition, HB Wu ed, WB Saunders, Philadelphia, 2006