Objectives: Placental alpha microglobulin-1 (PAMG-1) is a novel biomarker detected in cervicovaginal discharge in patients threatened with preterm birth (PTB). This study aimed to show a single centre experience of assessment of imminent spontaneous PTB risk in patients with symptoms suggesting preterm labour (PTL).
Material and methods: The study group consisted of 46 women with singleton pregnancies between 24 + 0/7 and 33 + 6/7 weeks of gestation who presented with symptoms of threatened PTL, with cervical dilatation of < 3 cm, cervical length (CL) of < 30 mm and clinically intact fetal membranes. CL was measured via transvaginal ultrasound and the PAMG-1 test was performed in all of the objectives.
Results: Sensitivity (SN), specificity (SP), positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of prediction of PTB within seven days for CL were 100%, 11.11%, 5.88% and 100%, respectively. The PAMG-1 test SN, SP, PPV and NPV of the same endpoint were 50%, 80.56%, 12.5% and 96.67%, respectively.
Conclusions: PAMG-1 is a more accurate predictor of PTB when compared to CL. Routine use of both mentioned tests could allow identification of low-risk patients and reduction of rate of unnecessary hospitalizations and treatments.
Keywords: PartoSure; cervical length (CL); placental alpha microglobulin-1 (PAMG-1); preterm birth; preterm labou.