title: Prediction of preterm delivery by sonographic estimation of cervical length.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Identification of pregnant women presenting with threatened preterm labor who are destined to deliver prematurely would greatly assist planning their management.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the study was to evaluate the ultrasonographic measurement of cervical length as a prognostic factor for predicting preterm birth in cases of threatened preterm labor.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 104 women with singleton pregnancies who presented with threatened preterm labor at 24-36 weeks of gestation. Cervical length at presentation was evaluated by transvaginal ultrasonography. Other potential prognostic factors, such as previous history of preterm labor, smoking, parity and administration of tocolytics were assessed. All women were observed for preterm delivery within 7 days of presentation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The only significant predictor of preterm delivery was cervical length assessed by ultrasound (p<0.000001, odds ratio 93.3, 95% Cl 10.4-837.1).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cervical length assessed by transvaginal ultrasonography in women presenting with threatened preterm labor is a powerful predictive tool for progression to preterm delivery.
authors.affiliation: 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieion Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Botsis
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Papagianni
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vitoratos
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Makrakis
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Aravantinos
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Creatsas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography