Study of cervicovaginal fetal fibronectin status to guide treatment of threatened preterm labour.

Summary: A sequential controlled pilot study of 48 women (16 study, 32 controls) was performed to explore the place of bedside fetal fibronectin testing in the managment of apparent preterm labour; 80% of the study group were successfully managed without tocolytic therapy, on the basis of fetal fibronectin test results, without detriment to the babies. Rapid bedside fetal fibronectin testing holds promise that protocols for management of women in apparent preterm labour, with intact membranes and without significant cervical dilatation, may be altered so that most of the unnecessary use of tocolytic drugs is avoided.