Ultrasound cervical length in predicting preterm birth
Achour Radhouane, Ben Jemaa Nadia, Ksibi Imen, Meriem Cheour, Bouriel Ines, Ayari Feirouz, Samia Kacem, Neji Khaled
Abstract
Background
Preterm birth is a leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality and represents a major public health problem. It is associated with a 15–20 per cent mortality rate and remains responsible for 75 per cent of perinatal deaths in foetuses without anomalies.
Aims
The aim of this study was to evaluate the importance of cervical length measured in the first trimester (11–14 Weeks of amenorrhea “WA”) and the second trimester (20–24 Weeks of amenorrhea” WA”) in an asymptomatic population of singleton pregnancies to assess the risk of spontaneous preterm birth compared to the digital assessment.
Methods
We conducted a prospective, longitudinal study involving 117 asymptomatic women with singleton pregnancies between January and December 2015.
Results
In our study, the clinical examination had a low positive predictive value and a low sensibility for screening women at risk of preterm delivery. Cervical length less than 35mm between 12–14WA and 30mm between 22–24WA predicts the occurrence of preterm birth with a high sensitivity (Se), and specificity (Sp).
Conclusion
We conclude that ultrasound screening of preterm delivery is now highly recommended.
Full Text:
Preterm birth is a leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality and represents a major public health problem. It is associated with a 15–20 per cent mortality rate and remains responsible for 75 per cent of perinatal deaths in foetuses without anomalies.
Aims
The aim of this study was to evaluate the importance of cervical length measured in the first trimester (11–14 Weeks of amenorrhea “WA”) and the second trimester (20–24 Weeks of amenorrhea” WA”) in an asymptomatic population of singleton pregnancies to assess the risk of spontaneous preterm birth compared to the digital assessment.
Methods
We conducted a prospective, longitudinal study involving 117 asymptomatic women with singleton pregnancies between January and December 2015.
Results
In our study, the clinical examination had a low positive predictive value and a low sensibility for screening women at risk of preterm delivery. Cervical length less than 35mm between 12–14WA and 30mm between 22–24WA predicts the occurrence of preterm birth with a high sensitivity (Se), and specificity (Sp).
Conclusion
We conclude that ultrasound screening of preterm delivery is now highly recommended.
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