Reliable Results With Fetal Fibronectin Testing

Among the existing risk factors for preterm birth, fFN is the most powerful independent predictor of preterm birth <32 weeks, even more so than prior preterm birth or cervical length.¹

For women with a negative fetal fibronectin test result

Approximately 99.2% of women with symptoms of preterm labor who have a negative test result will not deliver within the next two weeks.² Less than 1% of women will deliver before 28 weeks if they have a negative fetal fibronectin test result at 22 to 24 weeks.³

For women with a positive fetal fibronectin test result

Over 40% of women with symptoms of preterm labor who have a positive test result will deliver prematurely (before 37 weeks of gestation).⁴ A woman who tests positive at 22 to 24 weeks is nearly 60 times more likely to deliver within the next 4 weeks, compared with a woman with a negative test result.⁵

In the NIH Preterm Prediction Study, fFN testing detected nearly two-thirds of the preterm births that occured prior to 28 weeks.⁶

Benefits of fetal fibronectin testing

References

• 1. Goldenberg RL, Iams JD, Mercer BM, et al. The Preterm Prediction Study: The value of new versus standard risk factors in predicting early and all spontaneous preterm births. Am J Public Health. 1998;88:233-38.
• 2. Peaceman AM, Andrews WW, Thorp JM, et al. Fetal fibronectin as a predictor of preterm birth in patients with symptoms: A multicenter trial. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1997;177:13-18.
• 3. Adeza. Fetal fibronectin enzyme immunoassay and Rapid fFN for the TLiIQ^® System: Information for healthcare providers, December 2003. (Based on data from NICHD Preterm Prediction Study)
• 4. Lopez RL, et al. Fetal fibronectin detection as a predictor of preterm birth in actual clinical practice. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2001;182:1103-06.
• 5. Andersen HF. Use of fetal fibronectin in women at risk for preterm delivery. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2000;43:746-58.
• 6. Goldenberg RL, et al. The Preterm Prediction Study: Fetal fibronectin testing and spontaneous preterm birth. Obstet Gynecol. 1996;87:643-8.