Background and Objective: Differentiating between high and low risk of preterm birth is still clinically challenging. The aim of the present study was to predict preterm delivery and delivery time by assessing changes in cervical length.
Methods: In this analytical cross-sectional study, 80 pregnant women who were hospitalized due to preterm labor and underwent transvaginal ultrasound at the beginning of hospitalization were divided into two high- and low-risk groups based on cervical length measured at the time of hospitalization. The variables of maternal age, gestational age, cervical length, time of delivery, BMI, and progesterone use were investigated.
Findings: The mean and standard deviation changes in cervical length at the time of hospitalization and 48 hours after cessation of labor were 2.09±6.47 (p=0.021). The mean and standad deviation age of the mothers was 26.9±6.6 years, and the gestational age at the time of hospitalization was 31.16±1.35 weeks (p<0.05). The mean and standard deviation cervical length at the time of admission was 29.24±3.66 mm, and 48 hours after cessation of labor was 31.33±2.14 mm. 7.5% of mothers delivered within 7 days of admission, and 83.8% delivered under 34 weeks. ∆CL values<-5.5 mm with a sensitivity of 66.7% and ∆CL<-6.5 mm with a sensitivity of 85% predicted preterm birth.
Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that significant changes in cervical length can be used as an important indicator for predicting preterm delivery in high-risk pregnant women. Certain values of cervical length changes, especially significant decreases, are strongly associated with the likelihood of preterm birth.