[Transvaginal ultrasound of the cervix in the estimation of severity of premature labour]

ABSTRACT

Premature labour is a frequent situation it complicates about 6% of births, with increasing perinatal morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study is to analyze the place of the ultrasound of the cervix in the coverage of a premature labour and the evaluation of the severity of the premature labour, being able to have therapeutic implications. It is about a prospective study on 48 patients presenting a premature labour between 28 and 35 weeks realized in the service of maternity in Hddi Chaker hospital of Sfax for a period of 7 months going from January till July, 2005. In our study 23 patients presented an ultrasonographic cervical length patients. The sensibility of the measure of length of the cervix specificity was 59%. Negative predictive value of this exam was very strong of 100% and its positive predictive value was 26%. The presence of funnelling had a sensibility and a negative predictive value less important by report than that of the measure of the length the cervix. The evaluation of seventy of premature labour by the vaginal touch by calculation of Bishop's score is a simple and reproducible exam having the same efficiency as ultrasonographic cervical length In conclusion vaginal touch constitutes essential exam for the diagnosis of severity of the premature labour by basing itself on the calculation of Bishop's score. The utility of the ultrasonographic cervical length is based on its excellent negative predictive value consolidating our therapeutic strategy