The salivary estriol testing utilizes samples of saliva in the detection of estriol levels of the mother. This is a non-invasive test, which involves a collection of saliva in a specimen cup. The salivary estriol testing may indicate the potential for preterm labor and delivery in women, during gestation weeks of 22 through 36, whose estriol levels reach or exceed 2.1 ng/ml.
POLICY
Salivary estriol testing to predict the risk of preterm labor and delivery in women is considered investigational.
Policies with similar titles: Saliva Testing for Hormone Levels
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
No evidence was found to show that evaluation of salivary estriol can predict clinical outcomes and, thus, be used to alter the treatment of individuals.
SOURCES
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologist (ACOG). (2001, October). Assessment of risk factors for preterm birth. Retrieved January 10, 2005 from National Guideline Clearinghouse.
BlueCross BlueShield Association. Medical Policy Reference Manual. (1:2006). Salivary estriol as risk predictor for preterm labor (2.04.11). Retrieved February 4, 2009 from BlueWeb.
Goffinet, F. (2005). Primary predictors of preterm labour. BJOG : An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 112 Suppl. (1), 38-47. Abstract retrieved January 10, 2006 from PubMed database.
Goffinet, F., Maillard, F., Fulla, Y., & Cabrol, D. (2001). Biochemical markers (without markers of infection) of the risk of preterm delivery. Implications for clinical practice. European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, 94 (1), 59-68. Abstract retrieved December 4, 2002 from PubMed database.
Goldenberg, R. L., Goepfert, A. R., & Ramsey, P. S. (2005). Biochemical markers for the prediction of preterm birth. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 192 (5 Suppl.), S36-46. Abstract retrieved January 11, 2006 from PubMed database.
Hedriana, H. L., Munro, C. J., Eby-Wilkens, E. M., & Lasley, B. L. (2001). Changes in rates of salivary estriol increases before parturition at term. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 184 (2), 123-130. Abstract retrieved January 10, 2006 from PubMed database.
Heine, R. P., McGregor, J. A., & Dullien, V.K. (1999). Accuracy of salivary estriol testing compared to traditional risk factor assessment in predicting preterm birth. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 180 (1 Pt 3), S214-S218. Abstract retrieved December 4, 2002 from PubMed database.
Hendershott, C. M., Dullien, V., & Goodwin, T. M. (1999). Serial betamethasone administration and effect on maternal salivary estriol levels. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 180 (1 Pt 3), S219-S222. Abstract retrieved December 4, 2002 from PubMed database.
Mack, A. (1998). Saliva test helps predict preterm delivery. Medical Tribune: Internists & Cardiologists Edition, 39 (11).
Mauldin, J. G., & Newman, R. B. (2001). Preterm birth risk assessment. Seminars in Perinatology, 25 (4), 215-222. Abstract retrieved January 10, 2006 from PubMed database.
McGregor, J. A., Jackson, G. M., Lachelin, G. C. L., Goodwin, T. M., Artal, R., Hastings, C, et al. (1995). Salivary estriol as risk assessment for preterm labor: a prospective trial. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 173, 1337-1342. Abstract retrieved December 4, 2002 from PubMed database.
Ramsey, P. S., & Andrews, W. W. (2003). Biochemical predictors of preterm labor: Fetal fibronectin and salivary estriol. Clinics in Perinatology, 30 (4), 701-733. Abstract retrieved January 10, 2006 from PubMed database.
U. S. Food and Drug Administration. (1998, April). Center for Devices and Radiological Health. Pre-market approval decisions for April 1998. Retrieved January 11, 2006 from http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/pmaapr98.html.
Yeast, J. D., & Lu, G. (2005). Biochemical markers for the prediction of preterm labor. Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America, 32, 369-381.
ORIGINAL EFFECTIVE DATE: 10/1998
MOST RECENT REVIEW DATE: 3/12/2009
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