Abstract
To evaluate if cervical length may predict antepartum bleeding and emergency Cesarean section in cases of low-lying placenta. Between September 2004 and July 2006, cervical length was measured by transvaginal ultrasound in women with complete placenta praevia persisting in the third trimester of pregnancy. A complete follow-up of pregnancy was obtained in all cases. Overall 37 women were included in the study group. The median gestational age at ultrasound was 31 (range, 26–36) weeks with a mean cervical length of 36.3 ± 9.35 mm. Cesarean delivery was performed in all cases at a median age of 35 (range, 28–38) weeks. Of the entire group, 19 women (51.3%) presented with antepartum bleeding and nine (24.3%) required an emergency Cesarean section prior to 34 completed weeks due to massive haemorrage. Cervical length did not differ significantly among cases with or without antepartal bleeding (34.5 ± 9.25 mm vs. 38.2 ± 9.34 mm; P = 0.23), but was significantly shorter among patients who underwent emergency Cesarean section (30.0 ± 5.84 mm vs. 38.1 ± 9.67; P < 0.05). Transvaginal ultrasound assessment of cervical length may predict the risk of emergency Cesarean section at ≤34 weeks in women with complete placenta praevia.
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