The Clinical Usefulness of Cervicovaginal Fetal Fibronectin as a Prediction of the Time of Induction.

Kim, Young Ki; Kim, Sun Dong; Hwang, Jin Young; Seol, Bong Kyung; Park, Jung Don; Han, Chi Dong; Huh, Chang Kyu; Koh, Suk Bong

Original Article

Korean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 1999;42(12):2695-2699.
Published online January 1, 2001.

The Clinical Usefulness of Cervicovaginal Fetal Fibronectin as a Prediction of the Time of Induction.

Young Ki Kim, Sun Dong Kim, Jin Young Hwang, Bong Kyung Seol, Jung Don Park, Chi Dong Han, Chang Kyu Huh, Suk Bong Koh

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Fibronectin is a high-molecular-weight glycoprotein found in the plasma and extracellular matrix. The presence of fetal fibronectin in cervicovaginal secretion of pregnant women during the second and the third trimester has been suggested as a means of identifying women in preterm labor who be delivered prematurely. Therefore, our purpose was to determine the clinical efficacy of the presence of fetal fibronectin in cervicovaginal secretion of patient in full term as biochemical predictor of Time of Induction. METHODS: Fetal fibronectin was obtained at external os and posterior vaginal fornix in 30 women in full term who had no uterine contraction with intact membrane. The cervix was assessed by digital vaginal examination and scored with a modified Bishop score. RESULTS: There was a good correlation in delivery time after induction between the fetal fibronectin and the modified Bishop score (r=0.695,P<0.005) CONCLUSION: The presence of fetal fibronectin is better than Bishop score that is dependent on clinical experience as biochemical predictor of Time of Induction.

Key Words: Fetal fibronectin