The value of quantitative ultrasound tissue characterization of the cervix and rapid fetal fibronectin in predicting preterm delivery

Objective: To evaluate clinical risk factors, cervical fetal fibronectin (fFN), cervical length, and mean gray value assessment in predicting of preterm delivery (PTD) in patients with signs and/or symptoms of preterm labor (PTL). Study design: One hundred and seventeen women with PTL between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation were included. Cervical swabs were tested for fFN using the rapid fFN assay. When 2-dimensional transvaginal ultrasound measurement of cervical length was completed, a region of interest (ROI) of constant size was defined in the midsection of the posterior wall, and the tissue-specific gray scale was determined. The end point were PTDs at 6.54), had a higher increase risk of PTD (RR 18.1; 95% Cl 4.4-76.7). When both factors were positive, the RR increases to 24.8 (95% Cl 6.2-98.7). Conclusions: Combined use of rapid fFN and cervical gray value analysis improves the diagnostic efficiency and allows identification of women at risk for preterm delivery and in need for further prophylactic/therapeutic intervention.