Cervical Length (cervical + length)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Outcome of pregnancy after laser conization: Implications for infection as a causal link with preterm birth

JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY RESEARCH (ELECTRONIC), Issue 5 2008
Hitoshi Masamoto
Abstract Objective:, To investigate a causal link between infection and preterm birth in women with a shortened cervix induced by prior laser conization. Methods:, We conducted a retrospective review of the outcomes of 47 singleton pregnancies with a history of laser conization. Cervical length was measured between 17 and 23 weeks of gestation. Receiver-operating characteristic curves were used to determine the best cut-off point for the cervical length for predicting spontaneous preterm birth. We measured infectious markers in 12 women who had experienced preterm labor. Results:, Nine women had had premature labors and three had had late abortions. The mean ± SD cervical length was 33.1 ± 9.1 mm. The optimal cut-off for predicting preterm delivery was 25 mm with a sensitivity and specificity of 75.0% and 97.1%, respectively. Concentrations of granulocyte elastase were positive in five of the six samples determined. The white blood cell count and C-reactive protein levels were elevated in four out of the six patients. Sixty-seven percent of the vaginal cultures were positive for bacteria. Chorioamnionitis was present in seven women. Conclusions:, For the prediction of preterm birth in patients with a history of conization, it is helpful to look for signs of local infection when the cervical length is less than 25 mm. [source]


Novel developments on cervical length screening and progesterone for preventing preterm birth

BJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 2 2009
V Berghella
Cervical length (CL) measured by transvaginal ultrasound is an effective screening test for the prevention of preterm birth (PTB). The criteria for an effective screening test are all met by CL. It studies an important condition (PTB); it is safe and acceptable by >99% of women; it recognises an early asymptomatic phase that precedes PTB by many weeks; it has a well-described technique, is reproducible, is predictive of PTB in all populations studies so far; and, perhaps most importantly, it has been shown that ,early' treatment is effective in prevention. These two interventions, effective only in specific populations, are ultrasound-indicated cerclage and vaginal progesterone. [source]


Comparison of transperineal and transvaginal sonography in predicting preterm delivery

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ULTRASOUND, Issue 5 2004
Gurkan Yazici MD
Abstract Purpose A major advantage of transperineal sonography (TPUS) is its ability to evaluate the cervix without causing any distortion. This study was performed to compare transvaginal sonography (TVUS) and TPUS at 24 weeks of gestation in predicting preterm delivery in low-risk pregnancy. Methods Three hundred fifty-seven pregnant women underwent TVUS and TPUS at 24 weeks of gestation. The relationship between cervical length and preterm delivery was assessed. Accuracy values of TVUS and TPUS at 24 weeks of gestation were compared in predicting preterm delivery. Results Preterm delivery (before 36 weeks of gestation) occurred in 22 pregnancies (6.2%). Mean cervical lengths measured by TVUS and TPUS were significantly different in preterm and term delivery groups (P < 0.05). Areas under the curves were 0.801 and 0.857 for the transvaginal and transperineal measurements, respectively. The coefficient of correlation between the transvaginal and transperineal cervical length measurements was 0.83. TPUS had a sensitivity of 77% in predicting preterm delivery, with a false-positive rate of 17% and a relative risk of 4.5 at the 32.5-mm cutoff value. Conclusions When the cervix is well visualized, TPUS can predict preterm delivery as accurately as TVUS. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 32:225,230, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI: 10.1002/jcu. 20027 [source]


Outcome of pregnancy after laser conization: Implications for infection as a causal link with preterm birth

JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY RESEARCH (ELECTRONIC), Issue 5 2008
Hitoshi Masamoto
Abstract Objective:, To investigate a causal link between infection and preterm birth in women with a shortened cervix induced by prior laser conization. Methods:, We conducted a retrospective review of the outcomes of 47 singleton pregnancies with a history of laser conization. Cervical length was measured between 17 and 23 weeks of gestation. Receiver-operating characteristic curves were used to determine the best cut-off point for the cervical length for predicting spontaneous preterm birth. We measured infectious markers in 12 women who had experienced preterm labor. Results:, Nine women had had premature labors and three had had late abortions. The mean ± SD cervical length was 33.1 ± 9.1 mm. The optimal cut-off for predicting preterm delivery was 25 mm with a sensitivity and specificity of 75.0% and 97.1%, respectively. Concentrations of granulocyte elastase were positive in five of the six samples determined. The white blood cell count and C-reactive protein levels were elevated in four out of the six patients. Sixty-seven percent of the vaginal cultures were positive for bacteria. Chorioamnionitis was present in seven women. Conclusions:, For the prediction of preterm birth in patients with a history of conization, it is helpful to look for signs of local infection when the cervical length is less than 25 mm. [source]


Clinical predictive factors for preterm birth in women with threatened preterm labour or preterm premature ruptured membranes?

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 1 2009
Keiichiro YONEYAMA
Background: Independent predictive factors of preterm delivery were evaluated using clinical data at hospitalisation by multivariate analysis. Aim: The aim of this study was to clarify independent predictive factors related to preterm delivery by multivariate analysis of clinical data at hospitalisation of patients with threatened preterm delivery or premature rupture of membranes (PROM), and to realise the early and highly reliable prediction of preterm delivery in pregnant women at risk. Methods: The subjects were 200 patients, which diagnosed with threatened preterm delivery or PROM and admitted at gestational ages of 22,35 weeks. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed; 20 factors were evaluated concerning clinical data, and we extracted prognostic factors using logistic regression analysis. Results: The mean age of the patients was 30.5 years, and the mean gestational age at admission was 30.0 weeks. Preterm delivery was observed in 55 (27.5%), and term delivery in 145 (72.5%). On multivariate analysis, haemorrhage, prepregnancy body mass index, fetal fibronectin and cervical length were extracted as independent predictive factors related to preterm delivery. Conclusions: If the reliable and reproducible prediction of preterm delivery becomes possible using the four factors extracted in this study, further evaluation of these factors may lead to clarification of the mechanism of preterm delivery. [source]


Combination of cervical interleukin-6 and -8, phosphorylated insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 and transvaginal cervical ultrasonography in assessment of the risk of preterm birth

BJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 8 2001
Merja Kurkinen-Räty
Objective To determine the value of combinations of cervical interleukin-6 (IL-6), cervical interleukin-8 (IL-8), the phosphorylated isoform of insulin-like growth-factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1), and cervical ultrasonography in the prediction of preterm birth. Design Prospective follow up. Setting Oulu University Hospital maternity clinic from February 1997 to July 1998. Population Women with singleton pregnancies (n= 77), referred from outpatient clinics at 22,32 weeks of gestation with symptoms (uterine contractions) or signs (cervical change) of threatened preterm birth. Symptomless women (n= 78) matched for gestational age, parity and maternal age at recruitment were studied as a reference group. Methods A urine sample for bacterial culture was collected, and cervical swab samples for assays of interleukin-6 and -8 and phoshorylated IGFBP-1 were taken before digital cervical examination. A Pap smear for analysis of bacterial vaginosis and samples for analysis of chlamydia and streptococci were also obtained. Cervical measurements were made by transvaginal ultrasonography. The same sampling and cervical measurement were repeated twice at two-week intervals. The cutoff values of the markers were determined by receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis. Main outcome measure Preterm birth (<37 weeks). Results The preterm birth (<37 weeks) rate for women in the study group was 16% (12/77). The cervical interleukin-6 cutoff value (61 ng/L) at first visit had a sensitivity of 73% and a specificity of 61% in predicting preterm birth, with a positive likelihood ratio (LR+) of 1.9 (95% CI 1.2,3.0). An ultrasonographically measured cervical index value of > 0.36 at recruitment predicted preterm birth in 25% (5/20) of the study group compared with 9% (5/54); LR+ 2.2 (95% CI 1.03,4.7). Cervical phosphorylated IGFBP-1 > 6.4,g/L [LR+ 1.8 (95% CI 0.7,2.9)], interleukin-8 > 3739 ng/L [LR+ 1.4 (95% CI 0.9,2.4)], and ultrasonograpic cervical length < 29.3 mm [LR+ 2.7 (95% CI 0.8,9.7)] increased the risk of preterm birth. According to the logistic regression model, a combination of IL-6, and IL-8 and cervical index increased the specificity to 97%, but the sensitivity fell to 30% in detecting preterm birth. There was a significantly increased incidence of puerperal infections if phosphorylated IGFBP-1 concentrations were elevated (> 21.0 ,g/L), 36% (4/11) compared with 4.6% (3/65), LR+ 6.7 (95% CI 2.7,17), the sensitivity being 67% (4/6) and the specificity 90% (63/70). Elevated phosphorylated IGFBP-1 concentrations (> 21.6,g/L) were also associated with an increased risk of neonatal infections; LR+ 8.0 (95% CI 3.5,18). Conclusions An increase in cervical IL-6 concentration and the ultrasonographically measured cervical index appear to be associated with preterm birth. A combination of these markers with measurement of cervical IL-8 appears to be the best predictor of preterm birth. Neither the sensitivity nor specificity of the tests used in this study are good enough to predict preterm birth for clinical decision making. Cervical phosphorylated IGFBP-1 seems to be a marker of puerperal and neonatal infectious morbidity in cases of threatened preterm delivery, suggesting early tissue degradation at the choriodecidual interface. [source]


Comparison of transperineal and transvaginal sonography in predicting preterm delivery

JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ULTRASOUND, Issue 5 2004
Gurkan Yazici MD
Abstract Purpose A major advantage of transperineal sonography (TPUS) is its ability to evaluate the cervix without causing any distortion. This study was performed to compare transvaginal sonography (TVUS) and TPUS at 24 weeks of gestation in predicting preterm delivery in low-risk pregnancy. Methods Three hundred fifty-seven pregnant women underwent TVUS and TPUS at 24 weeks of gestation. The relationship between cervical length and preterm delivery was assessed. Accuracy values of TVUS and TPUS at 24 weeks of gestation were compared in predicting preterm delivery. Results Preterm delivery (before 36 weeks of gestation) occurred in 22 pregnancies (6.2%). Mean cervical lengths measured by TVUS and TPUS were significantly different in preterm and term delivery groups (P < 0.05). Areas under the curves were 0.801 and 0.857 for the transvaginal and transperineal measurements, respectively. The coefficient of correlation between the transvaginal and transperineal cervical length measurements was 0.83. TPUS had a sensitivity of 77% in predicting preterm delivery, with a false-positive rate of 17% and a relative risk of 4.5 at the 32.5-mm cutoff value. Conclusions When the cervix is well visualized, TPUS can predict preterm delivery as accurately as TVUS. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 32:225,230, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI: 10.1002/jcu. 20027 [source]