The predictive value of fetal fibronectin testing in primiparous women with cervical surgery. (7th June 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Smout, E M; Seed, P T; Shennan, A H
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 96(2011)Supplement 1
• Page Start: Fa129
• Page End: Fa130
• Publication Date: 2011-06-07
• Subjects: Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Newborn infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Fetus -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920105
• DOI: 10.1136/archdischild.2011.300157.24
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-2998

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Fetal fibronectin (fFN) is an excellent predictor of preterm birth (PTB). However, its value at predicting PTB in primiparous women with previous cervical surgery is unknown. Methods: We evaluated the use of fFN in all women attending the Preterm Surveillance Clinic over 12 months, comparing 86 primiparous women with cervical surgery – LLETZ or cone biopsy – to 242 women tested following previous PTB (16–37 weeks). Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of fFN for predicting delivery <30, <34 and <37 weeks' in the two groups were compared. Test performance was evaluated using logistic regression. Results: Positive fFN rates were similar: 16% of primiparous women with cervical surgery (14/86) compared to 20% (49/242) of women with previous PTB. Comparison of the accuracy of fFN testing between the two groups can be seen in table 1 . Logistic regression found no significant difference between the odds ratios of a positive fFN predicting delivery before 30, 34 and 37 weeks' in the two groups. Conclusion: fFN is useful for predicting PTB in primiparous women with cervical surgery; its performance is comparable to, and may even be slightly better, to that in women with previous PTB.