The comparison of plasma fibronectin in term and preterm delivery: A cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study

Background: Preterm delivery is one of the main causes of infant death. Therefore,prediction of preterm delivery may eliminate a large number of prenatal complications.Objective: The present study aimed to understand if preterm delivery can be predictedby assessing maternal plasma fibronectin concentration.Materials and Methods: Serum samples from 105 pregnant women participating in thisstudy were collected. The plasma fibronectin were measured at 24-28 wk of gestationand again at 32-36 wk of gestation. Unfortunately, only 65 of the 105 pregnant women,returned for the second sampling. The plasma fibronectin was analyzed using ELISAmethod and its concentration in term and preterm deliveries was compared. Thedelivery dates of all the women were also recorded.Results: Out of 105 pregnant women, 28 delivered preterm (26.7%). The Plasmafibronectin concentrations in women with preterm delivery were higher than in thosewho delivered at term (p = 0.001). Accordingly, Plasma fibronectin concentrationswere significantly higher in the second serum samples (p = 0.01). Plasma fibronectinconcentrations was also higher in obese women and in those suffering frompreeclampsia (p = 0.12) and gestational diabetes (p = 0.81).Conclusion: Plasma fibronectin concentrations test could be used as an optionalscreening test for preterm delivery at 28 to 34 wk of gestation in pregnant womenwho prefer to avoid vaginal sampling.

Keywords:

Premature birth , Fibronectin , Maternal serum screening tests