Fibronectin test can predict preterm birth

Testing for cervicovaginal fetal fibronectin in women with symptoms of threatened preterm birth can accurately predict whether spontaneous preterm birth will occur within 7-10 days after testing. These findings are from a systematic review by Honest and colleagues (p 301). After a positive test result, 17 women with symptoms of threatened preterm birth at 31 weeks' gestation would need to be given steroids to prevent one case of respiratory distress syndrome associated with spontaneous preterm birth, compared with 109 women treated without testing.


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Relevant Article

Accuracy of cervicovaginal fetal fibronectin test in predicting risk of spontaneous preterm birth: systematic review
Honest Honest, Lucas M Bachmann, Janesh K Gupta, Jos Kleijnen, and Khalid S Khan
BMJ 2002 325: 301. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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