PROSPECTIVE COMPARISON OF COMBINED INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR BINDING PROTEIN-1/INTERLEUKIN-6 AND FETAL FIBRONECTIN TESTS FOR PREDICTING PRETERM BIRTH FOLLOWING PRETERM CONTRACTIONS IN FMC, OWERRI. BACKGROUND: Preterm birth continues to be a major obstetric complication that is associated with high neonatal mortality and morbidity outcomes. It is also a substantial cause of emotional stress to mothers, their families and a significant financial cost to society. Prediction of preterm delivery resulting from preterm labour has remained a challenge, hence this study. No previous study has been done in Nigeria comparing combined biomarkers of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 native (IGFBP-1 N), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 total (IGFBP1 T), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) with fetal fibronectin (Ffn) tests as predictors of preterm birth amongst women with threatened preterm labour. OBJECTIVES To determine and compare the accuracy of combined IGFBP-1 N, IGFBP-1 T and IL-6 (Premaquick© ) test with fetal fibronectin (Ffn) test in predicting preterm birth amongst women with threatened preterm labour. METHODS: This was a cross sectional comparative study in which 175 pregnant women with threatened preterm labour between 28 and 36weeks plus 6 days gestation were recruited and followed up for 14 days post enrolment in Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, South East Nigeria. Their cervical and vaginal fluids were collected and tested using the Premaquick© (a combined IGFBP-1 N, IGFBP-1 T and IL-6) and fetal fibronectin tests. Inclusion criteria were presentation ii with signs and symptoms of preterm labour while women presenting with ruptured membranes, vaginal bleeding, fetal death, history of sexual intercourse, digital examination or transvaginal ultrasound scanning within 24 hours preceding swab collection were excluded. Informed verbal and written consent were obtained in all patients. The data were analysed using SPSS statistical software version 22. The sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values of the Premaquick© and fetal fibronectin tests were generated and compared. A degree of confidence of 95% was used in calculating the confidence interval and p-value was set at < 0.05.