[Transvaginal ultrasonography of the cervix length and the prediction of preterm delivery].

OBJECTIVE

To determine if cervical shortening between 12 and 28 weeks gestation predicts risk of spontaneous preterm birth or cervical funneling requiring cerclage.

STUDY DESIGN

We reviewed retrospectively all the patients who had transvaginal cervical ultrasound assessment during one year. 43 patients who had a second and early third trimester delivery or cerclage placement were chosen for the study. The control group consisted of 78 patients without signs of preterm labor and cervical shortening as assessed by transvaginal ultrasound. The results of the last ultrasound cervical length measurement were correlated with the likelihood of preterm delivery or cervical funneling requiring cerclage.

RESULTS

26 of 121 patients studied delivered preterm and 15 required cervical cerclage because of cervical shortening and funneling. The mean cervical length assessed by ultrasound was 23.22 +/- 3.07 mm in the group with preterm contractions and delivery and 21.99 +/- 7.05 mm in the group with cervical incompetence. In the normal pregnancy group mean cervical length was 35.59 +/- 3.07 mm.

CONCLUSIONS

Cervical length of < 3.0 cm and further shortening of the cervix is predictive of preterm delivery or cervical incompetence requiring cerclage.