Fetal Fibronectin as a Predictor of Preterm Delivery: A Nigerian Cohort Study. (15th September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ikeoha, Cyril C.; Anikwe, Chidebe C.; Umeononihu, Osita S.; Okorochukwu, Bartholomew C.; Mamah, Johnbosco E.; Eleje, George U.; Ezeama, Chukwuemeka O.; Nwokoye, Basil I.; Okoroafor, Chigozie F.; Ugwoke, Ikechukwu S.
• Other Names: Souza Renato T Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: BioMed research international. Volume 2022(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-09-15
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; Biotechnology -- Periodicals; Life sciences -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1155/2022/2442338
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2314-6133

Abstract

Abstract : Background . Fetal fibronectin is a useful biomarker in the diagnosis and management of preterm labour. Objectives . To evaluate the relationship between cervical fetal fibronectin and preterm delivery and the association between cervical fetal fibronectin level and gestational age at delivery. Materials and Methods . A prospective cohort study was performed in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria, involving equal number of pregnant women with (96) and without (96) preterm labour. Fetal fibronectin assay was done using solid-phase immunogold assay. The data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 24. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were done. The level of significance was p -value <0.05. Results . Less than half (47.9%) of the women in the study group had preterm delivery while 13.09% of the women in the control group delivered preterm. Fetal fibronectin test had a sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of 78%, 86.5%, 71.9%, and 89.0%, respectively, a positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio of 5.76(95% CI, 3.67 – 9.64) and 0.26(95% CI, 0.16 – 0.41), respectively. Conclusion . The findings in our study value of fetal fibronectin in predicting preterm delivery. Its use will support less intervention for patients with negative results.