Biophysical and biochemical screening for the risk of preterm labor: an update.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-2016

Institution/Department

Obstetrics & Gynecology

Journal Title

Clinics in laboratory medicine

MeSH Headings

Cervix Uteri, Female, Humans, Obstetric Labor, Premature, Pregnancy, Prenatal Diagnosis, Progesterone, Risk Assessment

Abstract

The heterogeneous causes of spontaneous preterm birth make prediction and prevention difficult. Recently developed biochemical and biophysical tests add significantly to clinicians' ability to evaluate and treat women at risk for spontaneous preterm birth. The primary importance of transvaginal cervical sonography and cervicovaginal fetal fibronectin lies in the high negative predictive values of the tests for preterm delivery risk. Cervical length may be useful in identifying women who are candidates for cervical cerclage or progesterone therapy for preterm birth prevention. Together, cervical length and fibronectin can be used in the triaging of women symptomatic for preterm labor.

ISSN

1557-9832

Comments

Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Maine Medical Center, Portland ME.

First Page

369

Last Page

383

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