Trappin-2/elafin protein level in cervicovaginal fluid as a predictor for spontaneous preterm labor

Abstract

Background and aim Preterm birth is a global health care problem associated with significant neonatal morbidity and mortality and substantial health care costs. The authors aimed in this study to evaluate the role of trappin-2/elafin protein level in cervicovaginal fluid as a predictor in high-risk women for spontaneous preterm labor (SPTB). Patients and methods This is a prospective study that included 50 women who are 13 weeks of gestation and had a high risk for preterm birth attending obstetric clinic of Al-Azhar (Assiut) University Hospital during the period from November 2018 to December 2019. Results In the present study, 19 cases developed SPTB from all studied 50 cases. Moreover, the results showed that cases that developed SPTB had significantly (P≤0.01) higher trappin-2/elafin level as compared with those not (107.2 vs 68.7 pg/ml). At a cutoff point of greater than or equal to 93.4 (pg/ml), trappin-2/elafin levels have a high sensitivity (89.5%) and high specificity (90.3%) in prediction of SPTB. The present results revealed that 32 (64.0%) cases had cervical shortening from all studied cases. Moreover, the results showed that trappin-2/elafin level increased significantly (P≤0.01) in cases with cervical shortening compared with those without (112.5 vs 75.4 pg/ml). At a cutoff point of greater than or equal to 83.7 (pg/ml), trappin-2/elafin level has a high sensitivity (84.4%) and high specificity (83.3%) in relation to cervical shortening. Conclusion Trappin-2/elafin protein level in cervicovaginal fluid is a sensitive and specific marker in prediction of SPTB in high-risk women.

Keywords

• high-risk women
• preterm birth
• trappin-2/elafin protein