Fetal Fibronectin in Cervical and Vaginal Secretions as a Predictor of Preterm Delivery

Abstract

This article reviews the study “Fetal Fibronectin in Cervical and Vaginal Secretions as a Predictor of Preterm Delivery,” published in The New England Journal of Medicine in 1991 by Lockwood et al. The study examined the use of fetal fibronectin found in cervicovaginal secretions as a marker for preterm delivery in symptomatic women presenting with preterm contractions or with preterm premature rupture of membranes. The chapter reviews the findings of this study as well as the place of fetal fibronectin testing in current obstetrical practice based on subsequent studies.