Fetal Fibronectin in Vaginal Fluid of Women in Prolonged Pregnancy

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine fetal fibronectin in vaginal fluid of women in prolonged pregnancy, its relationship to a modified Bishop score and its predictiveness of delivery within 3 days. Vaginal samples were collected from 80 women at 42 weeks of gestation for the fetal fibronectin assay. A modified Bishop score was estimated. Fetal fibronectin was determined by a quantitative enzyme immunoassay. The concentration of fetal fibronectin in vaginal fluid was elevated in only 36 of the 80 women. The Bishop score and the time between sampling and delivery were not associated with an elevated fetal fibronectin (≧ 0.05 mg/l). We conclude that fetal fibronectin is not a good indicator of delivery within 3 days. The findings add to our understanding of the complexity of the etiology of postterm labor.

Factors Influencing Vaginal Fetal Fibronectin Concentrations during Pregnancy

“…All women were consecutively enrolled from prior studies [4,[21][22][23]. In total, 312 samples for fetal fibronectin measurement and microbiological culture were obtained.…”

EDA Fibronectin Isoform of Amniotic Fluid in Relation to Normal Pregnancy Stages and to Pregnancies Complicated by Fetal Postmaturity Syndrome

“…[10] The detection of oncofetal FN isoform in the second and early third trimester has been found to be associated with a risk of preterm delivery, [11] but not with prolonged pregnancy. [12] In the present work, we have presented a dynamic expression of EDA domain in amniotic fluid FN (EDA-FN) in relation to the progression of normal pregnancy, as well as in pregnancies complicated by fetal postmature syndrome. The relative level of EDA-FN was estimated by ELISA using anti-EDA-FN specific monoclonal antibody in the following groups of amniotic fluid samples: 2nd and the early 3rd trimesters, term pregnancy, delivery at 37-40 weeks and at 41-42 weeks, post-term pregnancies, as well as pregnancies complicated by fetal postmaturity.…”

Amniotic fibronectin fragmentation and expression of its domains, sialyl and fucosyl glycotopes associated with pregnancy complicated by intrauterine infection

“…Analysis of FN concentrations in obstetrics has been conducted by many laboratories in various clinical contexts. The appearance of fetal FN in cervicovaginal secretions was believed to be associated with a risk of preterm delivery (23)(24)(25), but not with prolonged pregnancy (26).…”