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Predicting preterm delivery: the fetal fibronectin test
Preterm labour and delivery is a major problem and the leading cause of perinatal death in the UK. At present it is virtually impossible for doctors and midwives to predict when preterm labour is about to start. A new test may help with this problem. It detects the presence of fetal fibronectin in the vagina, which may indicate that the cervix is preparing to begin labour. Although these are early days, the fibronectin test looks promising. It is suitable at present for high-risk patients. Further studies are needed before its use can be justified as a screening test for low-risk women.
Preterm labour and delivery is a major problem and the leading cause of perinatal death in the UK. At present it is virtually impossible for doctors and midwives to predict when preterm labour is about to start. A new test may help with this problem. It detects the presence of fetal fibronectin in the vagina, which may indicate that the cervix is preparing to begin labour. Although these are early days, the fibronectin test looks promising. It is suitable at present for high-risk patients. Further studies are needed before its use can be justified as a screening test for low-risk women.