Publication:

Prediction of risk of preterm delivery by cervical assessment by trans-vaginal ultrasound

Background Our Objectives were to determine the mean cervical length in low risk asymptomatic pregnant population at 22-24 weeks of gestation and to find out the correlation of a cervical length <2.5 cm and presence of funneling with the risk of preterm delivery.

Methods This study was done at a Tertiary care centre. Cervical assessment for cervical length and presence or absence of funneling was done for low risk asymptomatic pregnant women at 22-24 weeks of gestation. Females 50 in number with cervical length <2.5 cm and 50 with cervical length ≥2.5 cm were followed till delivery. The results were analyzed by obtaining p value.

Results 90.9% of subjects with a Cervical length <2.5 cm and presence of funneling delivered preterm. 90% of subjects with cervical length ≥2.5 cm delivered at term. The p value of this study was <0.001 indicating that cervical length <2.5 cm at 22-24 weeks of gestation with presence of funneling, is highly predictive of preterm delivery.

Conclusions There is a definitive correlation between short cervical length with presence of funneling and occurrence of preterm delivery. Trans-vaginal Ultrasound of cervix is a safe, acceptable, sensitive and a cost effective screening test to assess the risk of preterm delivery.