Evaluation of quantitative fFn test in predicting the risk of preterm birth
-
Michela Centra
,
Giuliana Coata
Abstract
Objective:
To evaluate diagnostic accuracy of quantitative fetal fibronectin (qfFN) test in predicting preterm birth (PTB) risk <34 weeks’ gestation or within 14 days from testing. We explored the predictive potential of the test in five-predefined PTB risk categories based on predefined qfFN thresholds (<10, 10–49, 50–199, 200–499 and ≥500 ng/mL).
Methods:
Measurement of cervicovaginal qfFN with Rapid fFN 10Q System (Hologic) in 126 women with singleton pregnancy (23–33 weeks’ gestation) reporting signs and symptoms indicative of preterm labour (PTL).
Results:
For PTB prediction risk <34 weeks’ gestation, sensitivity decreased from 100% to 41.7% and specificity increased from 0% to 99.1% with increasing fFN thresholds. Positive predictive value (PPV) increased from 9.5% to 83.3% with increasing qfFN thresholds, while negative predictive value (NPV) was higher than 90% among the fFN-predefined categories. Diagnostic accuracy results showed an area under a receiving operator characteristic (ROC) curve of 84.5% (95% CI, 0.770–0.903). For delivery prediction within 14 days from the testing, sensitivity decreased from 100% to 42.8% and specificity increased from 0% to 100% with increasing fFN thresholds. Diagnostic accuracy determined by the ROC curve was 66.1% (95% CI, 0.330–0.902).
Conclusions:
The QfFN thresholds of tests are a useful tool to distinguish pregnant women for PTB prediction risk <34 weeks’ gestation.
Acknowledgments:
The Authors wish to acknowledge the Hologic Italy Srl providing test and instruments necessary to perform the study with an unrestricted educational grant. We acknowledge the research midwives Nadia Belia, Mariella Pelli and the resident Physicians in OB/GYN for performing cervicovaginal samplings and helping in the managements of patients.
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©2017 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Editorial
- What’s new in preterm birth prediction and prevention?
- Academy’s Corner
- Antenatal corticosteroids: current controversies
- Review articles
- The safety of progestogen in the prevention of preterm birth: meta-analysis of neonatal mortality
- Cervical pessary for the prevention of preterm birth: is it of any use?
- Maternal and neonatal outcomes following expectant management of preterm prelabour rupture of membranes before viability
- Highlight articles
- Placental malperfusion as a possible mechanism of preterm birth in patients with Müllerian anomalies
- Nifedipine increases fetoplacental perfusion
- Effect of sleep disorders on threatened premature delivery
- Risk of recurrent preterm birth among women according to change in partner
- Biomarkers of spontaneous preterm birth: a systematic review of studies using multiplex analysis
- Influence of transvaginal ultrasound examination on quantitative vaginal fibronectin measurements: a prospective evaluation study
- Evaluation of quantitative fFn test in predicting the risk of preterm birth
- The value of ultrasound measurement of cervical length and parity in prediction of cesarean section risk in term premature rupture of membranes and unfavorable cervix
- Comparison of the duo of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1/alpha fetoprotein (Amnioquick duo+®) and traditional clinical assessment for diagnosing premature rupture of fetal membranes
- Efficacy of a prospective community-based intervention to prevent preterm birth
- Maternal complications in settings where two-thirds of extremely preterm births are delivered by cesarean section
- The risk of neonatal respiratory morbidity according to the etiology of late preterm delivery
- Thyroid dysfunction in preterm neonates exposed to iodine
- Congress Calendar
- Congress Calendar
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Editorial
- What’s new in preterm birth prediction and prevention?
- Academy’s Corner
- Antenatal corticosteroids: current controversies
- Review articles
- The safety of progestogen in the prevention of preterm birth: meta-analysis of neonatal mortality
- Cervical pessary for the prevention of preterm birth: is it of any use?
- Maternal and neonatal outcomes following expectant management of preterm prelabour rupture of membranes before viability
- Highlight articles
- Placental malperfusion as a possible mechanism of preterm birth in patients with Müllerian anomalies
- Nifedipine increases fetoplacental perfusion
- Effect of sleep disorders on threatened premature delivery
- Risk of recurrent preterm birth among women according to change in partner
- Biomarkers of spontaneous preterm birth: a systematic review of studies using multiplex analysis
- Influence of transvaginal ultrasound examination on quantitative vaginal fibronectin measurements: a prospective evaluation study
- Evaluation of quantitative fFn test in predicting the risk of preterm birth
- The value of ultrasound measurement of cervical length and parity in prediction of cesarean section risk in term premature rupture of membranes and unfavorable cervix
- Comparison of the duo of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1/alpha fetoprotein (Amnioquick duo+®) and traditional clinical assessment for diagnosing premature rupture of fetal membranes
- Efficacy of a prospective community-based intervention to prevent preterm birth
- Maternal complications in settings where two-thirds of extremely preterm births are delivered by cesarean section
- The risk of neonatal respiratory morbidity according to the etiology of late preterm delivery
- Thyroid dysfunction in preterm neonates exposed to iodine
- Congress Calendar
- Congress Calendar
