Simple protein test can determine likelihood of a preterm baby

December 8, 2009 by Shawn Douglas  
Filed under: News, Pregnancy

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A simple test of a protein found in the uterus provides an accurate diagnosis of whether a baby will require early delivery or not.

Researchers from the University College London and University College Hospital London have revealed that an inexpensive and easy test of a protein in the uterus accurately predicts the likelihood of preterm birth. A negative result on such a test suggests that the protein is minimally present, and the woman has little chance of soon going into preterm birth.

The research, presented to participants at the Eighth International Scientific Meeting of The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in Abu Dhabi this week, focused on Fetal fibronectin (fFN), a protein that is responsible for aiding the fetal sac in its attachment to the uterus.

The team utilized previous research that showed that a leakage of this protein during advanced pregnancy increases the likelihood of preterm birth. Armed with this data, the researchers set out to determine if regular use of a test of fFN had a real impact on pregnancies.

At first, the team looked at 22 cases of women presented to hospitals with indications of going into preterm birth. Of those cases, 17 women didn’t go into labor during their admission to the hospital. Most of the women were treated with either a steroid to aid the baby’s lungs or a tocolytic drug to reduce contractions. None received the fFN test.

Later, researchers began using the fFN test. In 94 similar cases, the test was found to be 98.6 percent predictive that the women wouldn’t go into premature birth. Of 78 cases where the woman tested negative on the fFN test, only seven of the women had to be admitted to the hospital, primarily for abdominal pain management.

Dr. Anna David, the consultant obstetrician who led the study, said: “Threatened preterm labor often causes much anxiety for pregnant women. Doctors are working hard to uncover the causes of preterm birth and to develop preventive treatments.”

“In the meantime, the Fetal fibronectin test has been found to be very accurate at predicting those women who will not imminently deliver. Women with a negative test can be reassured that they do not need inpatient care. They can therefore avoid leaving their families for observation in a hospital, though a few may need admission for pain relief. More importantly, unnecessary drug interventions can be prevented which could translate into significant cost savings to the NHS.”

“Based on the results of our study, the use of fFN tests can also reduce unnecessary in-utero transfers, which at this time of neonatal unit cot shortages is a huge advantage,” she added.

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