Transvaginal Sonographic Cervical Length Changes During Normal Pregnancy

• Published in: Journal of ultrasound in medicine 2002-03, Vol.21 (3), p.227-232
• Main Authors: Gramellini, Dandolo, Fieni, Stefania, Molina, Enzo, Berretta, Roberto, Vadora, Eugenio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; cervical length; Cervix Uteri - anatomy & histology; Cervix Uteri - diagnostic imaging; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Genital system. Mammary gland; Gestational Age; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Management. Prenatal diagnosis; Medical sciences; normal pregnancy; Obstetric Labor, Premature; Parity; Pregnancy; Pregnancy. Fetus. Placenta; reference ranges; Reference Values; Risk Factors; Ultrasonic investigative techniques; Ultrasonography, Prenatal; vaginal sonography
• ISSN: 0278-4297; 1550-9613
• DOI: 10.7863/jum.2002.21.3.227

Objectives To examine the relationship between cervical length and gestational age in normal pregnancy in nulliparous versus parous women. Methods We studied a cross‐sectional sample of 321 pregnant women, including 185 nulliparous and 136 multiparous women. The inclusion criteria were sonographic confirmation of gestational age within the 12th week, the absence of any risk factors for preterm birth, and uncomplicated pregnancy with expected delivery during the 38th to 42nd weeks. Cervical length was measured in a straight line if the cervix did not show any curvature; in the presence of cervical curvature, themeasurement was broken down into 2 or more segments. Results There was a relationship between gestational age andcervical length, which could be described with a linear function (R= 0.92; R2 = 0.85; P < .001).Moreover, there was no statistically significant difference between multiparous andnulliparous women. Conclusions Our study shows that cervicallength is comparable in nulliparous and multiparous women throughout pregnancy. In bothgroups, it actually shows a progressive, linear reduction between the 10th and 40thweeks. Reference ranges constructed for the whole gestational period might be moreuseful than a single cutoff value for more efficient prevention and management ofpreterm birth.