Korean J Perinatol.  2009 Sep;20(3):234-242.

Transvaginal Ultrasonographic Assessment of Cervical Length for Prediction of Preterm Delivery within 7 Days in Patients with Preterm Labor

• Jung HR
• Lee K
• Kim MH
• Ko JK
• Lee CM
• Cho YK
• Choi H
• Kim BR

Abstract

PURPOSE
To investigate the usefulness of transvaginal ultrasonographic measurement of cervical length in patients with preterm labor for prediction of preterm delivery within 7 days.
METHODS
Cervical length was measured by transvaginal ultrasound in 140 women with singleton pregnancies presenting with preterm labor and intact membranes from 24(+0) to 33(+6) weeks of gestation. Other potential predictive factors, such as Bishop score, previous history of preterm delivery, and parity were assessed.
RESULTS
The mean gestational age at presentation was 30.5+/-14.7 (range, 24.0 to 33.6) weeks and the mean cervical length was 29.0+/-0.9 (range, 31.0 to 52.1) mm. Delivery within 7 days occurred in 7.9% (11/140). Receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curves established a cervical length of 25 mm as the most relevant cut off level for prediction of delivery within 7 days. Interval between admission and delivery was significantly short when ultrasonographic cervical length was less than or equal to 25 mm. Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the significant independent risk factors were cervical length < or =25 mm (OR: 24.64, 95% Cl: 2.97~204.20, P=0.003).
CONCLUSION
Ultrasonographic cervical length measurement is a useful tool for prediction of progression to preterm delivery within 7 days with patients with preterm labor.

Keyword

Transvaginal ultrasonography; Cervical length; Preterm delivery; Preterm labor

MeSH Terms

Cervical Length Measurement
Female
Gestational Age
Humans
Lipids
Logistic Models
Membranes
Obstetric Labor, Premature
Parity
Pregnancy
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
Risk Factors
Lipids
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds