Laboratory Markers in the Prediction of Premature Birth

Abstract

The problem of premature birth (PB) remains topical for the practicing obstetrician-gynecologist. The study of marker proteins indicating an increased risk of PB is one of the relevant areas of interest in modern obstetrics. The review presents data on laboratory markers of the onset of PB. Information on the importance of laboratory tests in predicting this condition is presented. A literature review on databases Scopus, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, and Russian Science Citation Index, with a description of the experience of Russian and foreign authors on the use of biochemical indicators in determining risks of PB, is led. The significance of indicators such as fetal fibronectin, placental α-microglobulin-1, phosphorylated insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 and other marker proteins, as well as cytokines and hormones in the diagnosis of this condition is described. The experience of using noninvasive rapid tests for the qualitative determination of analytes from cervicovaginal artery emissions is reported. The efficacy of the joint use of medical ultrasound data combined with the determination of the level of one of the laboratory predictors, which choice is reliant on the gestational period and the presence of complications, is estimated. The use of laboratory predictors to determine the risk of PB can significantly reduce the number of unjustifiable hospitalizations as well as the institution of tocolytic and hormonal therapy. Almost all of the predictors which are described have a high negative predictive value, which may help reduce unreasonable hospitalizing.