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A Randomized Multicenter Study to Determine the Efficacy of Activity Restriction for Preterm Labor Management in Patients Testing Negative for Fetal Fibronectin

Journal of Perinatology volume 25, pages 626–630 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the impact of activity restriction (AR) on the incidence of preterm birth in women treated for preterm labor testing negative for fetal fibronectin (fFN).

STUDY DESIGN:

Women who were diagnosed with preterm labor and tocolyzed with magnesium sulfate were concurrently screened with fFN for the purpose of subsequent management. Included were consenting patients with negative fFN, gestational age 23 0/7–33 6/7 weeks, cervical dilation ≤3 cm, and minimal vaginal bleeding. Patients were randomized to AR or no AR. Primary study outcome was incidence of preterm delivery and interval from randomization to delivery.

RESULTS:

A total of 73 women with negative fFN were randomized (36 with AR, 37 without AR). The overall preterm birth rate was 40%, with 44.4% of patients with AR and 35.1% of patients without AR delivering preterm, p=0.478.

CONCLUSION:

Maternal AR did not impact pregnancy outcome. The incidence of preterm birth in symptomatic women testing fFN negative was higher than previously reported.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. A division of Obstetrix Medical Group of Arizona, Phoenix Perinatal Associates (J.P.E., D.A.), AZ, USA

    John P Elliott MD & Diana Abril BSN, RN

  2. A division of Obstetrix Medical Group of Arizona, Tucson Perinatal Associates (H.S.M.), AZ, USA

    Hugh S Miller MD

  3. University of Arizona (H.S.M., K.H.), Tucson, AZ, USA

    Hugh S Miller MD & Karen Hallbauer RNC

  4. Matria Healthcare (S.C., D.R., N.B.I., G.J.S.), Marietta, GA, USA

    Suzanne Coleman MSc, RNC, Debbie Rhea MPH, Niki B Istwan RN & Gary J Stanziano MD

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  1. John P Elliott MD
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  2. Hugh S Miller MD
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  3. Suzanne Coleman MSc, RNC
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  4. Debbie Rhea MPH
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  5. Diana Abril BSN, RN
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  8. Gary J Stanziano MD
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Elliott, J., Miller, H., Coleman, S. et al. A Randomized Multicenter Study to Determine the Efficacy of Activity Restriction for Preterm Labor Management in Patients Testing Negative for Fetal Fibronectin. J Perinatol 25, 626–630 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211359

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