title: Clinical management of the short cervix.
abstract: Cervical cerclage is associated with prolongation of gestation in singleton pregnancies with prior spontaneous preterm delivery and a short cervix on vaginal ultrasonography in the mid-trimester. Ultrasound screening of cervical length is not indicated in low-risk singleton pregnancies and in women with multiple gestations. 17α-Hydroxyprogesterone does not prevent preterm delivery in twin gestations with a short cervix. Cervical cerclage may cause detrimental effects in twin gestations. Vaginal pessary for the prevention of preterm birth in women with a short cervix is currently under active investigation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA. jfmateus@utmb.edu
authors.forename: Julio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mateus
mesh_terms: D023802:Cerclage, Cervical; D002584:Cervix Uteri / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011272:Pregnancy, Multiple; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011379:Prognosis; D014463:Ultrasonography; D002577:Uterine Cervical Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D011374:Progesterone