Document Detail


Does transvaginal sonographic measurement of cervical length before 14 weeks predict preterm delivery in high-risk pregnancies?
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  12601834     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether high-risk patients manifest cervical length < 25 mm on transvaginal ultrasound before 14 weeks of gestation, and if this finding is predictive of preterm delivery. METHODS: Asymptomatic pregnancies at high risk for preterm birth were followed prospectively from 10 + 0 weeks to 13 + 6 weeks with transvaginal sonographic measurement of the cervix. A cervical length < 25 mm was considered a short cervix at this gestational age and at the follow-up ultrasound examinations, performed between 14 and 24 weeks. The primary outcome was preterm birth at < 35 weeks of gestation. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-three pregnancies met the study criteria and were included in the analysis. Only 10 (5%) patients had a cervix < 25 mm before 14 weeks. The sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values of a short cervix were 14%, 97%, 50%, and 82%, respectively (relative risk, 2.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-5.6). The mean transvaginal sonographic cervical length before 14 weeks of gestation was 33.7 +/- 6.9 mm in pregnancies which delivered preterm (n = 36), and 35.0 +/- 6.8 mm in those delivering at term (n = 147) (P = 0.3). Follow-up transvaginal ultrasound examination of the cervix to 24 weeks revealed that the average gestational age at which a short cervix was detected was 18.7 +/- 2.9 weeks. CONCLUSION: A cervical length < 25 mm on transvaginal sonographic assessment rarely occurs before 14 weeks even in high-risk patients destined to deliver preterm; in these patients cervical changes predictive of preterm birth develop mostly after this gestational age.
Authors:
V Berghella; M Talucci; A Desai
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology : the official journal of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology     Volume:  21     ISSN:  0960-7692     ISO Abbreviation:  Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol     Publication Date:  2003 Feb 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2003-02-25     Completed Date:  2003-05-16     Revised Date:  2005-11-17    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9108340     Medline TA:  Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  140-4     Citation Subset:  IM    
Copyright Information:
Copyright 2003 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Affiliation:
Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia 19107, USA. vincenzo.berghella@mail.tju.edu
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Cervix Uteri / anatomy & histology,  ultrasonography*
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Obstetric Labor, Premature / ultrasonography*
Predictive Value of Tests
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Trimester, First
Pregnancy, High-Risk*
Prospective Studies
Sensitivity and Specificity

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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