Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Actim Partus use as a predictor of preterm labour in symptomatic women was audited. It was hoped that clinical outcomes would match anticipated efficacy and that Actim Partus would serve as a useful tool to determine antenatal steroids timing.
METHODS: Data collection was prospective and retrospective, using a standardised proforma. Women presenting (November 2011-November 2012) with threatened preterm labour necessitating an Actim Partus swab were included. A retrospective review of all women who had presented with "Abdominal Pain" was also undertaken, to ensure inclusion of all eligible women.
RESULTS: Total deliveries n = 5798. Preterm deliveries (23-35/40) n = 242. Actim Partus swabs performed (23-35/40) n = 182; 42% positive (n = 77), 58% negative (n = 105). Of the 77 positive swabs, 49% delivered preterm, 51% at term. Of 105 negative swabs, 91.5% delivered at term, 8.5% preterm. Test to delivery interval for swab positive women; 48% delivered >2 weeks. Of a total of 134 spontaneous preterm deliveries, 69% didn't have an Actim Partus performed prior to delivery, 24% had a positive swab history and 6% a negative swab history.
CONCLUSION: Outcome data followed anticipated results. 48% of positive swabs delivered outside the 2 week interval, implying that antenatal steroids timing was not optimal for these women. 69% of spontaneous preterm deliveries occurred in women presenting in established labour, without prior Actim Partus assessment. This raises the fundamental question of the validity of this test as a mechanism for prediction of women at greatest risk of preterm labour.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | A158-9 |
Journal | Archives of Disease in Childhood: Fetal and Neonatal Edition |
Volume | 99 Suppl 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jun 2014 |