Low concentrations of vaginal fetal fibronectin as a predictor of deliveries occurring after 41 weeks

Fetal Fibronectin in Vaginal Fluid of Women in Prolonged Pregnancy

“…They suggested that fetal fibronectin may be a marker for labor in general. Their results have been reproduced in predic tion of preterm delivery [7][8][9], In other studies, concen trations >0.06 [10] and >0.08 mg/1 [11] have also been used.…”

“…The presence of fetal fibronectin in vaginal secretions has previously been shown to be predictive of both pre term [6][7][8][9] and term delivery [10], and low values at 39 weeks of gestation have been shown to be predictive of pregnancies exceeding 41 weeks of gestation [11]. Lockwood et al [6] evaluated vaginal and cervical fetal fibro nectin in healthy pregnant women and women with pre term labor.…”

“…Fetal fibronectin leaks into cervical and vaginal secretions due to mechanical factors such as uterine contractions and/or if inflammatory products ascend in the cervical canal. The presence of fetal fibronectin in vaginal secre tion has been shown to be predictive of both preterm [6][7][8][9] and term delivery [10], and low values at 39 weeks of gestation have been shown to be predictive of pregnancies exceeding 41 weeks of gestation [ 11 ]. In term pregnancies, a correlation between elevated fetal fibronectin values and cervical ripening has also been reported [12], How ever, as far as we are aware, the release of fibronectin into vaginal fluid of women with postterm pregnancy after 42 weeks has not yet been studied.…”

Factors Influencing Vaginal Fetal Fibronectin Concentrations during Pregnancy

“…Vaginal concentrations of fetal fibronectin have also been shown to be elevated after rupture of the membranes [1,8,9] and a correlation between increasing levels of fetal fibronectin and cervical ripening in term has been demonstrated [10]. Elevated values at 39 weeks of gestation have been shown to predict delivery before 41 weeks of gestation [11].…”

“…Rossel Goffeng/Holst/Milsom/Lindstedt/ Lundberg/Andersch Although our knowledge regarding the mechanisms leading to labor priming is still insufficient, there is increasing evidence to indicate that an inflammatory process [11] with increased amounts of leukocytes present in cervical tissues [12] is involved in the process of cervical ripening. During the last decade increased attention has been given to the possible role of the lower genital tract microflora in the etiology of preterm labor/delivery and preterm premature rupture of the membranes.…”