ABSTRACT
Background: Second trimester short cervical length identifies women at increased risk for an early spontaneous Preterm birth [sPTB], hence raising a compelling needed for Cervical Assessment for prediction and possible Preventing Preterm Delivery
Objective of the study: to assess the implications associated with a short cervical length as well as the use of ultrasonographic-derived cervical length measurement in predicting preterm birth. Methods: the present review includes relevant randomized controlled trials [RCTs] that investigated the in Medline [via PubMed], Cochrane Library and Embase. Retrospective and Prospective Cohort studies, Case-control and Randomised controlled trials. There were no restrictions by outcomes examined, language or publication status
Results: The critical search results yielded 6 articles [randomized trials=2, cohort studies=3, case-control study=l] representing 653 patients . Five of the 6 presented similar pregnancy outcomes [spontaneous preterm birth or pregnancy Joss < 24 weeks' gestation] between the ultrasound-indicated and the history-indicated cerclage groups. 45-69% of the patients followed with cervical ultrasound were able to avoid cerclage
Conclusion: Evidence from randomized trials supports that transvaginal ultrasound is predictive of preterm birth in women with prior preterm birth and a short cervix. The thresholds proposed vary from 15 mm to 28 mm and cerclage is thus recommended