[Fetal fibronectin--biomarker for preterm labour]

There have been many attempts to use various biomarkers, either alone or in combination, to predict preterm birth, such as serum corticotropin releasing factor, serum alpha-fetoprotein, vaginal or cervical fetal fibronectin, which is a good prognostic marker for its occurrence. In normal conditions, FFN is found at very low levels in cervico-vaginal secretions and levels greater than or equal to 50 ng/mL at or after 22 weeks have been associated with an increased risk of spontaneous preterm birth. Although FFN is commonly used in labour and delivery units to help in the management of women with symptoms of preterm labor, currently there is not sufficient evidence to recommend its use as a screening method. There is a clear need for further detailed analysis and studies in this direction, given that there are already plenty of evidence showing the link between negative fFN test and a lower incidence of preterm birth before 37 week of gestation.