Document Detail


Ultrasonographic assessment of cervical length in triplet pregnancies.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  10368485     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to evaluate the utility of ultrasonographic assessment of cervical length in the management of triplet pregnancies and to compare these measurements with previously reported data for singleton pregnancies. STUDY DESIGN: The maternal records for all triplet pregnancies managed at the Mayo Medical Center from January 1993-January 1998 were reviewed. Cervical length assessment was undertaken at regular intervals during each pregnancy according to an established real-time transperineal ultrasonographic technique. Presence or absence of cervical funneling was noted at the time of the examination. Obstetric management and outcome data were assessed. RESULTS: Thirty-two triplet pregnancies were managed at our institution between January 1993 and January 1998. Average duration of pregnancy (+/-SD) was 32.4 +/- 2.3 weeks. Progressive cervical shortening was noted with advancing gestational age; average cervical lengths (+/-SD) were 42.0 +/- 5.0 mm at 10 weeks, 37.0 +/- 8.0 mm at 20 weeks, 26.0 +/- 10.0 mm at 25 weeks, and 21.0 +/- 7.0 mm at 30 weeks. Comparison of triplet cervical length measurements with reported data from singleton pregnancies revealed a significant difference between the singleton and triplet data, respectively, at both 24 weeks (35.2 +/- 8.3 mm vs 25.0 +/- 8.0 mm, P <.001) and 28 weeks (33.7 +/- 8.5 mm vs 28.0 +/- 11.0 mm, P <.005). Cervical funneling was noted in 3 women with an average of 27 days from onset to delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonographic assessment of cervical length is a useful adjuvant in the management of the triplet gestation. Triplet cervical length measurements are significantly different from those reported for gestational age-matched singleton pregnancies. Premature cervical shortening and the presence of cervical funneling are harbingers of premature delivery and should necessitate obstetric intervention.
Authors:
K D Ramin; P L Ogburn; T A Mulholland; R J Breckle; P S Ramsey
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  American journal of obstetrics and gynecology     Volume:  180     ISSN:  0002-9378     ISO Abbreviation:  Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol.     Publication Date:  1999 Jun 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1999-07-15     Completed Date:  1999-07-15     Revised Date:  2005-11-17    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0370476     Medline TA:  Am J Obstet Gynecol     Country:  UNITED STATES    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  1442-5     Citation Subset:  AIM; IM    
Affiliation:
Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Medical Center, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Cervix Uteri / ultrasonography*
Female
Gestational Age
Humans
Obstetric Labor, Premature / ultrasonography
Pregnancy
Pregnancy, Multiple*
Prospective Studies
Triplets*
Ultrasonography, Prenatal

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


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