Objectives: To assess the predictive value of length of cervix as indicator of preterm labour and to study other high risk factors associated with preterm labour.
Material and method: 100 pregnant women coming to OPD in the Gynaecology & Obstetrics department at our institution for routine antenatal check up were included in the study. After taking informed consent their cervical length was measured at 20-24 weeks using TVS with Philips HD-3 Ultrasound machine using intracavitary probe with frequency of 7-10MHz. The cervical length at 20-24 weeks was correlated with gestational age at delivery and the predictive value of the same was determined.
Results: 21 percent women delivered preterm. In those who delivered preterm it was 2.84cm while mean cervical length of women delivering at term was 3.72cm. The difference was found to be statistically significant (p value <0.05). Cervical length of ≤ 30 mm has good sensitivity (57.1%). At the cut off value of ≤ 25 mm sensitivity was 33.3%, specificity was 100%, PPV came out to be 100% and NPV 84.9%.
Conclusion: Cervical length measured by transvaginal ultrasonography at 20-24 weeks is a useful and significant predictor of gestational age at delivery. The high negative predictive value avoids unnecessary interventions such as tocolysis and cerclage in high risk pregnancies.
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2022: 6.012
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