| 摘要 |
A method for predicting and detecting the onset of labor in a patient, which comprises analyzing a body fluid of the patient for estetrol concentration; correlating the concentration with a standard value; and relating a higher concentration of estetrol relative to the standard value as an indication of potential onset of premature delivery. The standard is usually selected from the group consisting of (1) a predetermined range of estetrol concentration for the body fluid in normal pregnant humans at a preselected time relative to normal, full-term delivery, or (2) a previously measured estetrol concentration of the same body fluid of the same pregnant human. The invention also includes a method of monitoring tocolytic therapy, which comprises determining a first concentration of estetrol in a body fluid of a pregnant patient undergoing or diagnosed as a candidate for undergoing treatment with a tocolytic agent and, based on the value of the first concentration relative to a standard, either initiating, continuing, discontinuing, or modifying the treatment.
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