A Systematic Review of the Prediction of Preterm Birth Using Cervical Elastography

Abstract

Background Preterm birth is one of the major problems of the health system. There are still many questions that remain unanswered for researchers and there is a need for continuous research to improve the ability to predict and prevent preterm birth. The aim of the present study was to review cervical elastography studies in predicting the onset of preterm birth. Materials and Methods: In this systematic review, to assess the prediction of preterm birth using cervical elastography, systemic search of online databases (Medline, Cochrane Central Register, EMBASE, Web of Science and Scopus complete) was done using the combination keywords of: (cervix uteri OR cervix) AND (elasticity OR elasticity imaging techniques OR elastography AND (preterm birth OR premature birth) up to Jun 2020. Study selection was done by two reviews. Results: Elastographic evaluation of cervical os at 18-22 weeks of pregnancy is very useful in detecting patients at high risk for preterm birth in the population of asymptomatic women. Also, abnormalities detected in this technique, prior to clinical findings and ultrasound findings suggest the cervical shortening ​​and funneling can predict the onset of preterm birth. As women with very short cervical length (CL Conclusion Elastographic evaluation of cervical os at 18-22 weeks of pregnancy is very useful in diagnosing patients at high risk for preterm birth in the population of asymptomatic women. However, there is a need for further research to investigate the role of elastography in predicting preterm birth.