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Cervical fetal fibronectin correlates to cervical ripening
G Ekman1, L Granström, A Malmström
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica
|October 1, 1995
Summary
Cervical fetal fibronectin levels increase during cervical ripening for labor induction. Higher fibronectin concentrations indicate a more favorable cervix, aiding in labor induction prognostics.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Reproductive Biology
Background:
- Cervical ripeness is a critical prognostic indicator for labor induction.
- Current methods for assessing cervical ripeness are suboptimal.
- Fetal fibronectin is a protein found in cervical secretions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the correlation between cervical fetal fibronectin and cervical ripening at term.
- To determine if fetal fibronectin can serve as a reliable marker for cervical ripeness.
Main Methods:
- Study included three groups: unripe cervices, spontaneous ripening, and PGE2-induced ripening.
- Cervical fetal fibronectin was measured using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELIZA).
- Samples were collected from the cervical canal.
Main Results:
- Low levels of cervical fetal fibronectin were observed in women with unripe cervices.
- A tenfold increase in fibronectin levels was found in women with favorable cervices.
- Even higher fibronectin levels were detected after prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)-induced ripening.
Conclusions:
- An increased amount of cervical fetal fibronectin is associated with the cervical ripening process.
- A cervical fetal fibronectin level exceeding 0.80 microgram/ml suggests a favorable cervix.
- Cervical fetal fibronectin shows promise as a marker for predicting cervical ripeness.