The Actim Partus test to predict pre-term birth in asymptomatic high-risk women.

The Actim Partus test has been shown to be a useful predictor of pre-term birth in symptomatic women, but limited research has been carried out in high-risk asymptomatic women. This is a pilot study to evaluate the use of this test as a direct comparator with the fetal fibronectin test. All asymptomatic high-risk women attending a pre-term surveillance clinic over a 9-month period, took an Actim Partus and fetal fibronectin test, between 23(+0)-24(+6) weeks' gestation. A total of 45 women were eligible. The positive and negative predictive values of the Actim Partus test for delivery at ≤ 37 weeks' gestation were 0% and 70%, respectively, compared with the fetal fibronectin test, with values of 67% and 79%, respectively. It was concluded that the Actim Partus test did not perform well as a predictor of pre-term birth in high-risk asymptomatic women.

A review of the obstetric management of patients with epidermolysis bullosa.

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a rare inherited skin condition characterized by the development of blisters after minor mechanical friction or trauma. There are few reported pregnancies in the literature in these women. We describe a pregnancy we recently managed. The collated series of pregnancies show that there are no additional antenatal or postnatal problems and that the skin itself does not worsen during pregnancy. Vaginal delivery is most favourable, but if a caesarean section is required, regional anaesthesia should be attempted. A multidisciplinary team should be active throughout the pregnancy of these women and a well-documented labour plan should be made in advance.