title: Pregnancy prolongation in women with preterm cervical dilatation utilizing out-patient preterm labor services.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify the impact of cervical dilatation on pregnancy prolongation in women with hospital evaluation of preterm labor (PTL) symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population was identified from a database comprising women receiving out-patient perinatal services. Women diagnosed with PTL, having a singleton gestation, with cervical dilatation of > or =2 cm, intact membranes, and at 22.0-34.9 weeks when hospitalized for evaluation of PTL symptoms were included. Data were analyzed by cervical dilatation at hospital evaluation. The primary study outcome was gestational gain from PTL diagnosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 1435 patients were analyzed; mean cervical dilatation at hospitalization was 2.6 +/- 0.7 cm at a mean of 32.4 +/- 2.1 weeks' gestation. Following hospitalization, patients gained a mean of 26.0 +/- 17.2 days. Eighty-seven per cent resumed out-patient services. Approximately 15% delivered within 1 week of PTL evaluation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Even women with advanced cervical dilatation can achieve significant gestational gain. The degree of cervical dilatation has significant impact on latency to delivery in women evaluated for PTL.
authors.affiliation: Matria Healthcare, Inc., Marietta, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Elliott
authors.forename: N B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Istwan
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rhea
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Coleman
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Stanziano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007747:Labor Stage, First; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D015149:Tocolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D015149:Tocolytic Agents