Fibronectin and the prognosis of adverse foetal outcome in maternal hypertension: a study from a West Indian population - abstract

A single assay of maternal fibronectin level is not specific enough to predict adverse foetal outcome, but daily measurement of maternal fibronectin level and a time-relate analysis allow a good prediction of the disease. In predicting adverse foetal outcome, these measurements complement the information provided by the physical methods of evaluation of the foetal status such as Doppler, ehcography or cardiotocography. The daily profile of plasma fibronectin level during hypertensive pregnancies shows a bi-phasic pattern: an early increase in fibronectin is followed by a decrease or at least a plateau preceding delivery. This last observation is consistent with a protective role of fibronectin as emphasised by Frolich and Bathia (AU)