The risk of impending preterm delivery in asymptomatic patients with a nonmeasurable cervical length in the second trimester

Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2010 Nov;203(5):446.e1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2010.05.040. Epub 2010 Jul 24.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the pregnancy outcome of asymptomatic patients in the second trimester with a nonmeasurable cervical length (0 mm).

Study design: This retrospective cohort study included 78 patients with singleton pregnancies and a sonographic nonmeasurable cervix that was detected at 14-28 weeks of gestation. Patients with cervical cerclage were excluded.

Results: We found that (1) 75.3% of the patients delivered before 32 weeks of gestation; (2) the median diagnosis-to-delivery interval was 20.5 days, and the delivery rate within 7 and 14 days was 28.2% and 35.6%, respectively; and (3) patients with a nonmeasurable cervix that was diagnosed at <24 weeks of gestation had a shorter median diagnosis-to-delivery interval than patients who were diagnosed at 24-28 weeks of gestation (17.5 vs 41 days; P = .009).

Conclusion: Asymptomatic women with a nonmeasurable cervix in the second trimester have a median diagnosis-to-delivery interval of approximately 3 weeks. Almost 65% of these patients will not deliver within 2 weeks, yet 75% of them will deliver before 32 weeks of gestation. The earlier a nonmeasurable cervix is identified, the shorter the diagnosis-to-delivery interval.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cervical Length Measurement*
  • Cervix Uteri / diagnostic imaging*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Logistic Models
  • Obstetric Labor, Premature*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Trimester, Second
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal