A 19-year-old pregnant woman at high risk of preterm labor was referred to the obstetrics clinic. A vaginal swab was obtained and tested for fetal fibronectin (fFN). fFN testing predicts the risk of preterm labor in high-risk patients. The woman's test result was negative, meaning she has less than a 1% chance of delivering within the next 7 days or less than a 5% chance of delivering within the next 2 weeks. False positive fFN results can occur if the test is performed after digital cervical examination or intercourse.

1. Objective Structured Clinical
Examination
OSCE Questions
Fetal Fibronectin Test (fFN)
Muhammad Redzwan
081-583
MMMC

2. Question 1
19 years old primigravida with
high risk of preterm labour was
referred to Obstetric Clinic. A
vaginal swab was obtained and
sent for laboratory testing.

3. Q1. What is the most likely test done to the
patient?
A1. Fetal Fibronectin Test (fFN)
Q2. What is the role of the test?
A2. Prediction of Preterm Labour in High Risk
Patient

4. Q3. The test came back negative. What is the
interpretation?
A3. Patient is less likely (<1%) to deliver in
coming 7 days OR/AND (<5%) to deliver in 2
weeks.

5. Q4. False positive result can occur in this test.
State two causes of the false positive result?
A4. i) the test is performed after digital
examination of the cervix
ii) the test is performed after having
intercourse

6. References
Kanagasabai S, Nagandia K, et al. (2013). “Preterm
Labor/PPROM”. Obstetric Today, 2nd ed. Colors Box
Publisher House. Malacca. p. 150.
Lockwood CJ, Senyei AE, Dische MR, et al. (1991). "Fetal
fibronectin in cervical and vaginal secretions as a
predictor of preterm delivery". N. Engl. J.
Med. 325 (10): 669–74.
Honest H, Bachmann LM, Gupta JK, Kleijnen J, Khan KS
(2002). “Accuracy of cervicovaginal fetal fibronectin
test in predicting risk of spontaneous preterm birth:
systematic review”. BMJ. 325 (7359):301.

7. THANK YOU!