[Fibronectin test in threatened preterm labour: cost-saving but not yet widely implemented in the Netherlands].

Objective: Analysis of national implementation of the foetal fibronectin test in the diagnostics of threatened preterm labour in the Netherlands, and indication of the possible obstacles and consequences of implementation or no implementation.

Design: National questionnaire, retrospective cohort study and cost-effectiveness calculation.

Methods: We approached all hospitals in the Netherlands (n = 86) with a questionnaire on use of the fibronectin test.

Quantitative fetal fibronectin testing in combination with cervical length measurement in the prediction of spontaneous preterm delivery in symptomatic women.

Objective: To evaluate whether in symptomatic women, the combination of quantitative fetal fibronectin (fFN) testing and cervical length (CL) improves the prediction of preterm delivery (PTD) within 7 days compared with qualitative fFN and CL.

Design: Post hoc analysis of frozen fFN samples of a nationwide cohort study.

Setting: Ten perinatal centres in the Netherlands.

Comparison of the Actim Partus test and the fetal fibronectin test in the prediction of spontaneous preterm birth in symptomatic women undergoing cervical length measurement.

Objective: To compare the accuracy of the Actim Partus test and fetal fibronectin (fFN) test in the prediction of spontaneous preterm delivery within seven days in symptomatic women undergoing cervical length measurement.

Study Design: We performed a post-hoc analysis on frozen samples of a nationwide cohort study in all 10 perinatal centres in the Netherlands. We selected samples from women with signs of preterm labour between 24 and 34 weeks of gestational age and a cervical length below 30mm.

The predictive value of quantitative fibronectin testing in combination with cervical length measurement in symptomatic women.

Background: The combination of the qualitative fetal fibronectin test and cervical length measurement has a high negative predictive value for preterm birth within 7 days; however, positive prediction is poor. A new bedside quantitative fetal fibronectin test showed potential additional value over the conventional qualitative test, but there is limited evidence on the combination with cervical length measurement.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare quantitative fetal fibronectin and qualitative fetal fibronectin testing in the prediction of spontaneous preterm birth within 7 days in symptomatic women who undergo cervical length measurement.

Which Factors Contribute to False-Positive, False-Negative, and Invalid Results in Fetal Fibronectin Testing in Women with Symptoms of Preterm Labor?

 We assessed the influence of external factors on false-positive, false-negative, and invalid fibronectin results in the prediction of spontaneous delivery within 7 days.  We studied symptomatic women between 24 and 34 weeks' gestational age. We performed uni- and multivariable logistic regression to estimate the effect of external factors (vaginal soap, digital examination, transvaginal sonography, sexual intercourse, vaginal bleeding) on the risk of false-positive, false-negative, and invalid results, using spontaneous delivery within 7 days as the outcome.

Risk factors for preterm delivery: do they add to fetal fibronectin testing and cervical length measurement in the prediction of preterm delivery in symptomatic women?

Objective: To assess whether patient characteristics add to the fetal fibronectin test and cervical length measurement in the prediction of preterm delivery in symptomatic women.

Study Design: A nationwide prospective cohort study was conducted in all ten perinatal centres in the Netherlands. Women with symptoms of preterm labour between 24 and 34 weeks gestation with intact membranes were invited.

Risk stratification with cervical length and fetal fibronectin in women with threatened preterm labor before 34 weeks and not delivering within 7 days.

Objective: To stratify the risk of spontaneous preterm delivery using cervical length (CL) and fetal fibronectin (fFN) in women with threatened preterm labor who remained pregnant after 7 days.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: Nationwide cohort of women with threatened preterm labor from the Netherlands.