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Test Code FFN Fetal Fibronectin 

Important Note

The FFN Collection Kit may be obtained from Women and Children's Laboratory

Performing Laboratory

Women and Children Hospital Laboratory 304-388-2385

Specimen Requirements

Cervical Vaginal Secretion, FFN Collection Kit

Specimen should be obtained from posterior fornix of the vagina or the ectocervical region of the external cervix during a sterile speculum examination.

Specimen Rejection

  • Improperly labeled, collected, stored, and transported
  • Quantity not sufficient
  • Moderate-grossly bloody specimens
  • Specimens stored > 25o C.

Storage and Stability

Transport specimen to the lab immediately. If transport is delayed, store at 2-8o C. Do not expose to temperature above 25o C.

 

Refrigerate 2-8oC 3 days
Frozen 3 months

Reference Values

Negative

Methodology

Lateral Flow, Solid-Phase Immunochromatographic Assay

Days Test Set Up and Turnaround

Monday through Sunday, Continuously

Stat available within 2 hrs

CPT Coding

82731

Additional Information

Specimen should be collected prior to collection of culture specimens.  Collection of vaginal specimens for microbiologic culture frequently requires aggressive collection techniques that may abrade the cervical or vaginal mucosa and may potentially interfere with sample preparation. Specimens should be obtained prior to digital cervical examination or vaginal probe ultrasound examination as manipulation of the cervix may cause the release of fetal fibronectin. Care must be taken not to contaminate the swab or cervicovaginal secretions with lubricants, soaps, disinfectants or creams (e.g., K-Y Jelly lubricant, Betadine disinfectant, Monistat cream, hexachlorophene). 
 

The Rapid FFN test should not be used for symptomatic women with one or more of the following conditions:

       Advanced cervical dilatation (> 3 centimeters)

       Rupture of amniotic membranes

       Cervical cerclage

       Moderate or gross vaginal bleeding 

The Rapid fFN should not be used for asymptomatic women with one or more of the following conditions:

         Multiple gestations, e.g., twins

         Cervical cerclage

         Placenta previa (partial or complete)

Specimens should not be tested if the patient has had sexual intercourse within 24 hours  prior to   the sampling time because semen and/or sperm present in the sample may increase the  possibility of a false positive result.

 

A negative FFN has a 99% predictive value that patients with signs and symptoms of early labor will NOT deliver in the next 14 days. A positive result has a 12-17% predictive value that delivery will occur in 7-14 days. When FFN is used to screen women at high risk for preterm labor at 22-31 weeks gestation, a negative result has a 96% predictive value for no preterm labor within the next 4 weeks. A positive result has 13-31% predictive value for delivery within the next 4 weeks.