Preterm Delivery: Predictive Value of Salivary Estriol, and Alpha Feto Protien

Abstract

Background: Preterm labor is defined by the presence of painful uterine contractions that lead to progressive
changes in the cervix that allow descent and delivery of the newborn before the 37th week of gestation.
Objective: To assess the predictive value of salivary estriol and Alpha feto protein in preterm delivery.
Patients and Method: A prospective study were carried out in our hospital during the period from 1/1/2020
to the 30/8/2020 among the patients who attended for consultation, 120 patients with gestational age between
16 and 18 weeks were selected and divided into two groups. Results: The serum level of Alpha-feto protein
was (338. 15 ± 182.55 in case group vs. 239. 68 ± 112. 51 in control group) with significant association
(p=0.01). In spite of the decrease of the estriol level in preterm group we found no significant differences
were found between both groups regarding the estriol level (P>0.05)
Conclusion: The increase in free estriol in saliva in this study was not significantly associated with preterm
delivery in asymptomatic patients at risk, and there is a significantly increase in AFP concentration in
preterm pregnant patients.