II. Indications
- Evaluation for Premature Rupture of Membranes
III. Technique
- Obtain fluid for exam (usually after Vaginal Pooling)
- Place sample on glass slide
- Allow sample to air dry for 10 minutes
IV. Interpretation
- Slide shows Ferning pattern under microscopy
V. Efficacy
- Test Sensitivity: 98% when in labor (51% if not in labor)
- Test Specificity: 88% when in labor (70% if not in labor)
VI. Differential Diagnosis
-
False Positive for Ferning
- Cervical Mucus
- Semen
-
False Negative for Ferning
- Slide not allowed to dry 10 minutes
- Swab dry
- Contamination with blood
VII. References
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Related Studies
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 |