SMFM Consult Series #70: Management of short cervix in individuals without a history of spontaneous preterm birth

Abstract

The majority of deliveries before 34 weeks of gestation occur in individuals with no prior history of preterm birth. Mid-trimester cervical length assessment by transvaginal ultrasound is one of the best clinical predictors of spontaneous preterm birth. This Consult provides guidance for the diagnosis and management of short cervix in an individual without a history of preterm birth. The following are Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine recommendations: (1) we recommend that all cervical length measurements used to guide therapeutic recommendations be performed using a transvaginal approach and in accordance with standardized procedures as described by organizations such as the Perinatal Quality Foundation or the Fetal Medicine Foundation (GRADE 1C); (2) we recommend using a midtrimester cervical length of ≤ 25 mm to diagnose short cervix in individuals with a singleton gestation and no prior history of spontaneous preterm birth (GRADE 1C); (3) we recommend that asymptomatic individuals with a singleton gestation and a transvaginal cervical length of ≤ 20 mm diagnosed prior to 24 weeks of gestation be prescribed vaginal progesterone to reduce the risk of preterm birth (GRADE 1A); (4) we recommend that treatment with vaginal progesterone be considered at a cervical length of 21 to 25 mm based on shared decision-making (GRADE 1B); (5) we recommend that 17-OHPC, including compounded formulations, not be prescribed for the treatment of a short cervix (GRADE 1B); (6) in individuals without a history of preterm birth who have a sonographic short cervix (10-25 mm), we recommend against cerclage placement in the absence of cervical dilation (GRADE 1B); (7) we recommend that cervical pessary not be placed for the prevention of preterm birth in individuals with a singleton gestation and a short cervix (GRADE 1B); (8) we recommend against routine use of progesterone, pessary, or cerclage for treatment of cervical shortening in twin gestations outside the context of a clinical trial (GRADE 1B).