Clinical Investigation

Does transvaginal ultrasonographic cervical assessment at first trimester predict preterm delivery and abortion?

  • İbrahim Temiz
  • Cem Dane
  • Banu Dane
  • Ahmet Çetin

Turk J Obstet Gynecol 2010;7(1):17-22

Objective:

Our aim is to assess cut-off values of cervical lengths and dilatation of internal os as measured by transvaginal sonogram at 12th gestational weeks to predict second trimester abortion and preterm delivery.

Material-Method:

This was a prospective study involving 59 pregnant women attending for antenatal care who underwent transvaginal scans at 12 weeks for evaluation of cervical length. The mean cervical lengths and dilatation of internal os were compared between groups which delivered at term, preterm or abortion. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values also were calculated for preterm delivery and abortion.

Results:

Preterm delivery threat occurred in 16.9 % of the women. The mean cervical length of abortion group was 35.1 ± 7.9 mm while the cervical length of term group was 44.3 ± 5.5 mm at 12th week. There is statistically significant difference between two groups in terms of cervical length (p<0.05). Cervical length at 12 weeks was not significantly different between the groups which delivered at term and preterm delivery threat. Sensitivity was % 40, specificity was % 93, PPV was % 57 and NPV was % 88 for predicting preterm delivery or abortion when cut-off level of 35 mm was chosen at 12th week.

Conclusion:

Performed at 12 weeks’ gestation, transvaginal sonographic cervical length measurement to predict preterm delivery and abortion is a reliable screening procedure.

Keywords: cervical length, transvaginal ultrasonography, preterm delivery, abortion, prediction