Preterm Labor: Sensitivity and Specificity

Introduction: Generally defined as birth <37 weeks. See also tests to determine Risk of Preterm Labor. The patients here are symptomatic with labor.

[Edit Diagnosis] [Merge dx] [Add prevalence]

Tags: Obstetrical Tag this Diagnosis.

Prevalence

Population / Calculator	Prevalence	Comments / Study / Link
women hospitalized for preterm labor between 18 and 34 completed weeks' gestation	13.4%	for delivery <35wk Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2006 Jan;194(1):138-43. PMID 16389023
Women with preterm labor	17.1%	for delivery within 28 days Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2002 Jan;81(1):58-63. PMID 11942889
More, Edit...

The sensitivity and specificity of findings for Preterm Labor are listed below. See the left navigation bar to change the display.

Sensitive and Specific Findings

Cervical Length Plus fFN
Duplicate

86%

90%

cervical length <=20mm OR length 21-31mm + positive fFN

for delivery within 28 days

Study: Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2002 Jan;81(1):58-63. PMID 11942889

Poorly Diagnostic Findings

Finding	Sensitivity	Specificity	Comments, Study
Cervical Length Plus fFN Duplicate	67%	81%	cervical length <=15mm OR cervical length 16-30mm + fFN >=50ng/ml for delivery <35wk in this study, results not significantly different from using fetal fibronectin alone (but saves fFN tests) Study: Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2006 Jan;194(1):138-43. PMID 16389023
Fetal Fibronectin	63%	81%	>=50ng/ml, for delivery <35 wk Study: Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2006 Jan;194(1):138-43. PMID 16389023
Cervical Length	75%	63%	cervical length <=25mm for delivery <35 wk Study: Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2006 Jan;194(1):138-43. PMID 16389023