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Evidence summaries

Foetal Fibronectin Testing for Reducing the Risk of Preterm Birth

Fetal fibronectin testing appears not to be effective for reducing the risk of preterm birth. Level of evidence: "B"

A Cochrane review [Abstract]2 included 6 trials involving a total of 546 women. Preterm birth less than 37 weeks was not significantly decreased with management based on knowledge of foetal fibronectin (FFN) results compared to controls without such knowledge (21.6% vs 29.2%; RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.52 to 1.01; 4 trials, n=357). All other outcomes for which there were available data (preterm birth at less than 34, 32, or 28 weeks; gestational age at delivery; birthweight less than 2500 grams; perinatal death; maternal hospitalization; tocolysis; steroids for fetal lung maturity; and time to evaluate) were similar in the two groups. No other maternal or neonatal outcome was available for meaningful analysis.

Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by imprecise results (wide confidence intervals) and inconsistency (variability in results).

    References

    • Berghella V, Saccone G. Fetal fibronectin testing for reducing the risk of preterm birth. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2019;(7):CD006843. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords