Abstract

BACKGROUND: The objective of the study was to verify whether ultrasoundvaginal cervicometry, performed in the 18th-20th week of gestation, can effectively predict preterm delivery.MATERIAL/METHODS: 279 singleton pregnancies were prospectively studied from the middle of gestation untildelivery. In the 18th-20th week of gestation we performed ultrasound vaginal cervicometry, which we usedto determine the length of the cervix, judge the shape of the internal os, and evaluate the cervicometryas normal or abnormal on the basis of these parameters. With the aid of one-dimensional and multi-dimensionalanalysis, we tested the dependence of completed weeks of gestation and preterm delivery on the resultsof ultrasound cervicometry. RESULTS: 247 women completed the study. Cervicometry was evaluated as abnormalin 53 women (21.46%). We proved a significant dependence of delivery prior to the 34th week of gestationon cervical length (p<0.01), abnormal shape of the internal os (p<0.0001; RR=10.35), and abnormal cervicometric result (p<0.0001; RR=29.28). Delivery prior to the 37th week was also significantly dependent on all observed parameters. Of the individual cervicometric parameters, cervical length had the most significant impact on the completed weeks of gestation.
Conclusions: The implementation of ultrasound vaginal cervicometry in the prenatal screening program can lead to effective and early selection of women with a significantly increased risk of preterm delivery.

Keywords: Cervical Ripening, Cervix Uteri, Gestational Age, Labor, Premature, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Complications, Pregnancy Outcome, Pregnancy, High-Risk, Risk Factors, Ultrasonography, Prenatal