Useful For: Fetal Fibronectin – Fetal fibronectin is a protein that performs two roles during pregnancy. It is produced by the placenta and acts as the glue that attaches the placenta to the uterine wall. In late pregnancy, it acts as a lubricant, aiding in the passage of the newborn through the vaginal canal. Amniotic fluid contains fetal fibronectin and when the membranes leak, can be detected in a cervicovaginal collection. This can be used as a predictor of pre-term delivery, defined as less than 37 weeks gestation.
Methodology: Solid Phase Immunosorbent Colorimetric Assay
Specimen Requirements:
Preferred specimen: sterile Dacron® cotton swab in a transport tube containing 1 mL extraction buffer. Collect using Adeza Biomedical Corp kit.
Transport Temperature: Refrigerated (cold packs)
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 8 hours
Refrigerated: 72 hours
Frozen: 90 days
Reject Criteria: Room temperature samples received >8 hours after collection or specimens received in expired transport.
Analytical Time: 1 day
Days Set Up: Monday through Sunday
CPT Information:
82731 –