A prospective study of prediction of preterm delivery by cervical assessment by transvaginal sonography

Abstract

Preterm birth is a major cause of death and a significant cause of long-term loss of human potential amongst survivors all around the world. Complications of preterm birth are the single largest direct cause of neonatal deaths, responsible for 35% of the world’s 3.1 million deaths a year, and the second most common cause of under-5 deaths after pneumonia. In this study, an attempt has been made to evaluate the usefulness of cervical assessment by TVS in prediction of risk of preterm delivery in low risk pregnant women, thereby earlier management option can be planned and patients specific treatment can be given at the earliest. The present study was carried out in tertiary care teaching hospital for 1 year from 1 Jan 2019 to 31 Dec 2019. Total of 100 study participants who underwent TVS assessments of cervix regularly followed up who underwent TVS assessment of cervix and were regularly follow up and delivered. The mean cervical length in all these women was 30±6.68 mm. It was observed that 51.72% of patients with short cervical length less than 25 mm had preterm labour compared to the patients with cervical length more than 25mm i.e. 4.22%. Cervical assessment by TVS is effective in predicting preterm labour.