title: Ultrasonographic evaluation of cervical length in pregnancies complicated by preterm premature rupture of membranes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the usefulness of transvaginal ultrasonography in the determination of the risk of preterm delivery and chorioamnionitis in pregnancies affected by preterm premature rupture of membranes preterm premature rupture of membranes.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and one singleton pregnancies with preterm premature rupture of membranes were included in this prospective study over a 3-year period. Patients underwent cervical length measurement by transvaginal ultrasonography at admission and thereafter, in the absence of chorioamnionitis, were managed expectantly.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median time interval between admission and delivery (latency period) was 48 h. A cervical length of less than 20 mm was associated with a significant risk of early delivery (mean latency period was 59.44 +/- 159.93 h vs. 240.94 +/- 364.67; P < 0.05). There was no relation between cervical length and occurrence of chorioamnionitis or neonatal sepsis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data suggest that the use of transvaginal ultrasonography for cervical length measurement during preterm premature rupture of membranes may predict an early delivery but cannot anticipate the risk of chorioamnionitis or neonatal sepsis.
authors.affiliation: Service de Pédiatrie, Hôpital Nord, Pavillon Mère-enfants, Marseille, France. cgire@ap-hm.fr
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gire
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Faggianelli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nicaise
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shojai
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fiori
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chau
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Boubli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: D'Ercole
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002821:Chorioamnionitis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000453:epidemiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal