Abstract

THE VALUE OF CERVICAL LENGTH TO PREDICT PRETERM BIRTH

Alhan Hussien Abod and Maha Abdulameer Oudah*

Abstract

The ultrasound-based measurement ın the 1980s was developed to identify women at increased risk of preterm birth. The risk of preterm birth was inversely correlated to the length of the cervix as measured by ultrasound. This observation has been confirmed in multiple studies using different techniques; however, the most widely accepted and used technique is transvaginal ultrasound.34,47–57 A number of interventions based on this observation have been studied in randomized trials. A recent meta-analysis58 has looked at its efficacy in preventing preterm birth. Since the publication of the 2001 SOGC guideline, 36 there have been numerous studies on imaging, natural history, and use of transvaginal ultrasound in common clinical scenarios, as well as a number of randomized trials looking at interventions for a short cervix. This updated guideline provides a comprehensive review of studies of shortened cervical length diagnosed on transvaginal ultrasound and is broader in scope than the 2001 guideline.

Keywords: Ultrasound - Cervical length - population - preterm - Transvaginal -Preterm birth.