II. Indications

III. Technique

  1. Obtain fluid for exam (usually after Vaginal Pooling)
  2. Place sample on glass slide
  3. Allow sample to air dry for 10 minutes

IV. Interpretation

  1. Slide shows Ferning pattern under microscopy

V. Efficacy

  1. Test Sensitivity: 98% when in labor (51% if not in labor)
  2. Test Specificity: 88% when in labor (70% if not in labor)

VI. Differential Diagnosis

  1. False Positive for Ferning
    1. Cervical Mucus
    2. Semen
  2. False Negative for Ferning
    1. Slide not allowed to dry 10 minutes
    2. Swab dry
    3. Contamination with blood

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Related Studies

Ontology: Cervical mucous arborization (C0334212)

Concepts Organ or Tissue Function (T042)
SnomedCT 27890004
LNC LP14745-1, MTHU001939
English ferning, Cervical mucous arborization, Ferning, Cervical mucous arborisation, Cervical mucous arborization (morphologic abnormality)
Spanish arborización del moco cervical (anomalía morfológica), arborización del moco cervical, aspecto en helecho del moco cervical