Transvaginal sonographic measurement of cervical length and the risk of spontaneous preterm birth

Transvaginal sonographic measurement of cervical length, at 20 weeks of gestation, is very useful to predict spontaneous preterm birth. A large number of studies have been performed in the attempt to detect the spontaneous preterm birth on the basis of biological, biochemical and ultrasound parameters. Transvaginal Sonography is a good tool to evaluate the cervix. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between cervical length measured by transvaginal ultrasonography and the risk of spontaneous preterm birth. This is a prospective observational analytical study. The study population consisted of 150 pregnant women who had at least one risk factor for preterm labor. The patients underwent transvaginal sonography at 14-28 weeks of gestation. Samples were collected from Imam Ali Hospital of Zahedan, Iran, from 2011 to 2012. The data were analyzed using the SPSS program and student T paired test. A cervical length of 18 mm was the best cut-off value to predict the preterm delivery at <35 and at <37 weeks’ gestation. Using logistic regression test showed that the cervical length less than 18 mm has a strong statistical correlation with SPDT at <35 and at <37 weeks of gestation. (P value= 0.001 and P value=0.005, respectively). Cervical length measured by transvaginal ultrasonography in pregnant women with the risk of preterm labor, at <35 and at <37 weeks, predicts spontaneous preterm birth and helps reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality. [M. Arabi, M. A. Elahifar *, M. Dehghani. Transvaginal sonographic measurement of cervical length and the risk of spontaneous preterm birth. Life Sci J 2013;10(2s):334-338] (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 57