Combination of the placental alpha-1 microglobulin test and ultrasonic cervical length measurement to predict the time of preterm birth.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the combined identification of placental alpha-1 microglobulin (PAMG-1) in cervicovaginal secretions and ultrasound cervical length measurement in pregnant women with symptoms of threatening premature bith (PB) and intact fetal membranes to predict the time of labor onset.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospective observational study including 137 pregnant women at a gestational age of 22-37 weeks with symptoms of PB. Presence of PAMG-1 was determined using the commercially available test kit (Parsagen Diagnostics Inc, Boston, USA) and the cervical length was measured using ultrasound.

RESULTS

Ultrasound cervicometry in women with the cervical length between 15 and 30 mm had a positive predictive value of only 8.9% for PB within 7 and 14 days. The test in women with the cervical length between 15 and 30 mm had the positive predictive value for PB within 7 and 14 days of 63.6%.

CONCLUSION

Using the combination of ultrasound cervicometry and PAMG-1 testing in women with symptoms of PB and the cervical length between 15 and 30 mm may allow to identify those with a high risk of PB within 7 and 14 days more accurately.