Urinalysis and Body Fluids 6th Edition by Majorie DiLorenzo, Susan Strasinger

Exercise 18

Describe two tests that can be performed on vaginal secretions to predict conditions of premature delivery and rupture of fetal membranes.

Step 1 of 2

Test performed on vaginal secretions to detect the conditions of premature delivery and rupture of fetal membranes:

Fetal fibronectin (fFN) test:

This test is used to predict preterm delivery.

Preterm delivery:

Delivery of baby prior the completion of 37 weeks’ gestation.

• fFN is an adhesive glycoprotein in extra cellular matrix present at fetal and maternal interphase in uterus

• fFN is increased in first 24 weeks of gestation

• If it is present in vaginal secretion between 24 to 34 weeks’ of gestation, then it indicates preterm delivery

• In asymptomatic women, fFN test is performed between 22 and 30 weeks’ gestation

• In symptomatic women, the test is performed between 24 and 34 weeks

• The specimen is obtained by rotating swab across posterior fornix of vagina for a time of 10 seconds to get the vaginal secretion

• In fFN enzyme immuno assay, with FDC-6 Monoclonal antibody for fFN, the sample is incubated

• At the wavelength of 550 nm absence or presence of fFN is detected spectrophotometrically

The methods included to detect fetal fibronectin is rapid fFN assay and ELISA