Can a low-lying placenta be the risk factor of cervical incompetence? A preliminary study on the relationship between placenta insertion and anatomical status of uterine cervix.
An attempt was made to verify the hypothesis that a low-lying placenta may be a factor leading to the dynamic form of cervical incompetence. A vaginal evaluation of the cervix was made in 143 pregnant women who by means of ultrasonographic method were found to have low-lying placentas. In as many as 68 out of the 143 studied cases (47.5%), the low-lying placenta coincided with a shortening of the cervix about half its normal length or in both shortening and patency of the uterocervical canal, measuring up to 2 cm in diameter (39 cases). The statistical calculations indicate that a low-lying placenta can influence cervical behaviour and that it appears to be a risk factor of cervical incompetence.
D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010920:Placenta / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010922:Placenta Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D012306:Risk; D014463:Ultrasonography; D002581:Uterine Cervical Incompetence / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology