The Evaluation of the Fetal Fibronectin Test for Prediction of Preterm Delivery in Symptomatic Patients

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study was conducted to evaluate the usefulness of testing for fetal fibronectin (fFN) to rule out the diagnosis of preterm labour in symptomatic patients in a Canadian setting. MethodsThis was a prospective, blinded clinical evaluation of fFN testing in women presenting with threatened preterm labour at between 24 and 34 weeks’ gestation at two Canadian tertiary care centres. ResultsOf the 149 women tested, 32 had a positive fFN test. In the total patient population, 10.1% delivered within seven days of testing, and 18.2% delivered prior to 34 weeks. A negative fFN result was associated with a 97.4% likelihood of delivering more than seven days after testing and with a 91.4% chance of delivering after 34 weeks. ConclusionThe fFN test appears to provide useful information in the risk assessment of Canadian women presenting with symptoms compatible with preterm labour. A negative test has a high predictive value for delivering more than seven days after presentation.