Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of the assessment of cervical length and and measurement of fetal fibronectin level in cervical secretion of pregnant women in prophylaxis of premature deliveries.
Material and methods: 78 pregnant women hospitalized in Department of Fertility and Obstetrics, University School of Medicine Wrocław. They were divided into III groups: Group I-13 pregnant women who had premature delivery and the time between examination and delivery was no longer than 24 hours. Group II-20 women who had premature delivery, and the time between examination and delivery was longer than 24 hours. Group III-pregnant who delivered at term (control group). Between the 25th and the 34th week of pregnancy presence of fetal fibronectin in cervical secretion and ultrasonographic assessment of cervical length were done.
Results: Significantly higher percentage of women with presence of fibronectin in cervical secretion and significantly shorter length of cervical length was stated in 13 pregnant women who delivered prematurely, between the 28th and 35th week of pregnancy comparing with other groups. In group II pregnant women delivered between the 28th and 35th week of pregnancy, and the time between examination and delivery was from 3 days to 4 weeks. In this group in 75% examined women fibronectin was present in cervical secretion. Significant was that cervical length in 14 of this group of women (70%) was no longer than 20 mm and in the rest was between 20-30 mm, moreover in no cases was longer than 30 mm. In group III only in 7% women presence of fibronectin in cervical secretion was stated and only in two cases (4%) cervical length was shorter than 20 mm, both of them delivered in 38th week of pregnancy.
Conclusions: 1. Examination of fetal fibronectin in cervical secretion allows precisely estimate the risk of premature delivery. 2. Cervical length shorter then 20 mm collerates with the presence of fetal fibronectin in cervical secretion and with increased risk of premature delivery.