Non-invasive prediction of preterm birth in women with cervical insufficiency or an asymptomatic short cervix (≤25 mm) by measurement of biomarkers in the cervicovaginal fluid

ObjectiveTo determine whether various proteins in the cervicovaginal fluid (CVF) known to be involved in immune regulation, alone or in combination with clinical risk factors, can predict spontaneous preterm delivery (SPTD) in women with cervical insufficiency or a short cervix (≤25 mm).MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included 62 asymptomatic women with cervical insufficiency (n = 27) or an asymptomatic short cervix (n = 35) at 18–27 weeks. CVF swab samples were taken for assays of vitamin D binding protein (VDBP), interleukin (IL)-8, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1, and Dickkopf-related protein 3 (DKK3) before cervical examination, and maternal blood was collected for the determination of the C-reactive protein (CRP) level. The primary outcome measurement was SPTD at ResultsThe rate of SPTD at ConclusionsIn women with cervical insufficiency or a short cervix, VDBP, TIMP-1, and DKK3 in the CVF may be useful as non-invasive predictors of SPTD at