Document Detail


A short cervix in women with preterm labor and intact membranes: a risk factor for microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  15746658     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether there was a relationship between sonographic cervical length and the presence of culture-proven microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity in women with preterm labor and intact membranes. STUDY DESIGN: Ultrasonography and amniocentesis were performed in 401 patients admitted with preterm labor (22-35 weeks) and cervical dilatation of < or = 3 cm, as assessed by digital examination. Cervical length was determined by transvaginal ultrasound at admission. Outcome variables were the presence of microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (defined as a positive amniotic fluid culture) and the occurrence of preterm delivery before 35 weeks. Contingency tables, chi2 test, receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curves, and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity was 7% (28/401). Spontaneous preterm delivery (< or = 35 weeks) occurred in 21.4% (82/384) of patients. ROC curve analysis showed a significant relationship between the frequency of microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity and the length of the uterine cervix (area under the curve: 0.77; P < .005). Patients with a cervical length < 15 mm had a higher rate of a positive amniotic fluid culture than patients with a cervical length > or = 15 mm (26.3% [15/57] vs. 3.8% [13/344], respectively; P < .05). Moreover, patients with a short cervix (defined as < 15 mm) were more likely to deliver spontaneously before 35 weeks, 32 weeks, within 7 days, and within 48 hours of admission ( P < .05 for all comparisons). Forty percent of patients (161/401) had a cervical length > or = 30 mm. These patients had a very low risk of microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (1.9% [3/161]), spontaneous delivery < or = 35 weeks (4.5% [7/154]), < or = 32 weeks (2.6% [2/76]), within 7 days (1.9% [3/154]), and within 48 hours (0% [0/154]) of admission. CONCLUSION: Endovaginal ultrasonographic examination of the uterine cervix in women with preterm labor identifies patients at increased risk for intrauterine infection.
Authors:
Ricardo Gomez; Roberto Romero; Jyh Kae Nien; Tinnakorn Chaiworapongsa; Luis Medina; Yeon Mee Kim; Bo Hyun Yoon; Mario Carstens; Jimmy Espinoza; Jay D Iams; Rogelio Gonzalez
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  American journal of obstetrics and gynecology     Volume:  192     ISSN:  0002-9378     ISO Abbreviation:  Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol.     Publication Date:  2005 Mar 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2005-03-04     Completed Date:  2005-04-01     Revised Date:  2006-05-16    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0370476     Medline TA:  Am J Obstet Gynecol     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  678-89     Citation Subset:  AIM; IM    
Affiliation:
Center for Perinatal Diagnosis and Research (CEDIP), Sótero del Río Hospital, P Universidad Católica de Chile, Puente Alto, Chile.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Amniocentesis
Amniotic Fluid / microbiology
Bacterial Infections / etiology*
Cervix Uteri / anatomy & histology,  ultrasonography*
Female
Humans
Obstetric Labor, Premature / etiology*
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / etiology*
Risk Factors
Uterine Diseases / etiology*
Comments/Corrections
Comment In:
Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2006 Mar;194(3):901-2; author reply 902-3   [PMID:  16522435 ]

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


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