Ultrasonographic evaluation of cervical length in pregnancies complicated by preterm premature rupture of membranes.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the usefulness of transvaginal ultrasonography in the determination of the risk of preterm delivery and chorioamnionitis in pregnancies affected by preterm premature rupture of membranes preterm premature rupture of membranes.

DESIGN

One hundred and one singleton pregnancies with preterm premature rupture of membranes were included in this prospective study over a 3-year period. Patients underwent cervical length measurement by transvaginal ultrasonography at admission and thereafter, in the absence of chorioamnionitis, were managed expectantly.

RESULTS

The median time interval between admission and delivery (latency period) was 48 h. A cervical length of less than 20 mm was associated with a significant risk of early delivery (mean latency period was 59.44 +/- 159.93 h vs. 240.94 +/- 364.67; P < 0.05). There was no relation between cervical length and occurrence of chorioamnionitis or neonatal sepsis.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that the use of transvaginal ultrasonography for cervical length measurement during preterm premature rupture of membranes may predict an early delivery but cannot anticipate the risk of chorioamnionitis or neonatal sepsis.