The Usefulness of Fetal Fibronectin as a Diagnostic Method of Preterm Ruptere of Membrane

Park, Chan Woo; Yoon, Tae Sook; Lee, Ji Young; Park, C J; Kim, Yoo Kon; Jang, Bong Rim; Park, Yang Seo

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fetal fibronectin as a diagnostic method of preterm rupture of membanes and its clinical usefulness compared with standard tests. STUDY DESIGN: Seventy-eight women who had recieved antenatal care and complained of fluid leakage prior to 37 weeks were enrolled in this study. Standard tests-vaginal peculum examination, Nitrazine test, transabdominal sonography-were perfomed. Rupture of membranes was diagnosed if any two of the standard tests were positive. Fetal fibronectin in posterior vaginal fornix was determined qualitatively by ROM kit (Adeza Biochemical, Sunnyvale, USA).
RESULTS
The sensitivity of fetal fibronectin for prediction of rupture of membranes in the women who complained of fluid leakage was 90.6% and its specificity, positive and negative predictive value were 65.7%, 76.4% and 85.1% respectively. 12 women were not diagnosed as rupture of membrane on standard tests but were positive for fetal fironectin.
CONCLUSION
Fetal fibronectin would be a useful diagnotic method for rupture of membranes, especially in the women who complained of fluid leakage but not diagnosed by standard tests.